Journals / Ortadoğu Etütleri / 2025 / Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2

The Saudi-U.S. Alliance and the Modern Middle East: An Oil-dependent Alliance since the 1930s

Suudi Arabistan-ABD İttifakı ve Modern Ortadoğu: 1930’lardan Bu Yana Petrol Bağımlı Bir İttifak

Pages
13–40
Publication Date
2025-12-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The paper used a qualitative research method through the lens of historical study and relied on secondary sources to map the origin and changes in the Saudi-U.S. alliance since the 1930s.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Saudi Arabia is an important U.S. ally in the Middle East.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The origin of this alliance hinged on the discovery of oil in the kingdom in 1933 by an American company, Standard Oil of California.
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Conclusion & Impact:The paper used a qualitative research method through the lens of historical study and relied on secondary sources to map the origin and changes in the Saudi-U.S. alliance since the 1930s.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Suudi Arabistan · ABD · Petrol

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is an important U.S. ally in the Middle East. The origin of this alliance hinged on the discovery of oil in the kingdom in 1933 by an American company, Standard Oil of California. The oil-alliance transmuted into an “oil for security” alliance from the 1950s onwards. Through this alliance, the U.S. became a major political player in the region, while Saudi Arabia used its commodity to exert political influence in the region. Although Kings Abdul Aziz and Faisal were able to use oil to exert pressure on U.S. policies on Israel in the region, later Arab leaders have failed to emulate the same. The paper found that current Arab leaders tend to pursue policies that do not conflict with U.S. interests in the region. Hence, it remains to be seen to what extent Saudi Arabia will use its leadership to liberate Arab countries in the region from the yoke of Israeli atrocities. The paper used a qualitative research method through the lens of historical study and relied on secondary sources to map the origin and changes in the Saudi-U.S. alliance since the 1930s.

Özet

Suudi Arabistan, ABD'nin Ortadoğu'daki önemli bir müttefikidir. Bu ittifakın başlangıcı, 1933 yılında Amerikan Standard Oil of California şirketinin krallıkta petrol keşfetmesine dayanıyordu. Petrol ittifakı 1950'lerden itibaren “güvenlik için petrol” ittifakına dönüştü. Bu ittifak sayesinde ABD bölgede önemli bir siyasi aktör haline gelirken, Suudi Arabistan da bu emtiayı bölgede siyasi nüfuzunu sağlamak amacıyla kullanmaktadır. Kral Abdülaziz ve Faysal petrolü kullanarak ABD’nin bölgedeki İsrail politikalarına baskı uygulayabilmiş olsalar da, daha sonraki Arap liderleri aynı şeyi başaramadılar. Makalede, mevcut Arap liderlerinin bölgedeki ABD çıkarlarıyla çatışmayan politikalar izleme eğiliminde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Dolayısıyla Suudi Arabistan’ın bölgedeki Arap ülkelerini İsrail zulmünün boyunduruğundan kurtarmak için liderliğini ne ölçüde kullanacağı henüz belli değildir. Makalede tarihsel araştırma perspektifinden nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılmış ve Suudi Arabistan-ABD ittifakının 1930’lardan bu yana kökeni ve değişimleri haritalanmak üzere ikincil kaynaklara dayandırılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Abass, U. (2025). The Saudi-U.S. Alliance and the Modern Middle East: An Oil-dependent Alliance since the 1930s. Ortadoğu Etütleri, Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2, 13–40. https://doi.org/10.47932/ortetut.1713795

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