#1226 Understanding the toxic US-Saudi Arabian relationship
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Jay Tomlinson
4.5 • 3.4K Ratings
🗓️ 9 November 2018
⏱️ 76 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Air Date: 11/9/2018
Today we take a look at the stunningly consistent history of the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia. A relationship born out of a need for oil and sustained for the sake of empire.
Be part of the show! Leave a message at 202-999-3991
Episode Sponsors: Blinkist.com/Best| Madison-Reed.com(Promo Code: Left)
Amazon USA| Amazon CA| Amazon UK| Clean Choice Energy
Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content: Support our show on Patreon!
SHOW NOTES
Abby Martin takes us inside the brutal reality of this police-state monarchy and tells the untold people's history of resistance to it.
Ch. 2: Who’s in the Driving Seat of the US – Saudi Relationship? Part 1 - The Inquiry - Air Date 8-22-18
Many have begun to question the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Will the US support Saudi Arabia no matter what? So on this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking, who’s in the driving seat when it comes to the US – Saudi alliance?
Ch. 3: 70 Years of Reforming Saudi Arabia - On the Media - Air Date 10-19-18
Georgetown University in Qatar professor Abdullah Al-Arian speaks with Brooke about where the trope of the Saudi royal "reformers" comes from and why it persists.
Ch. 4: The smokescreen of women driving - @Intercepted w @JeremyScahill - Air Date 10-16-18
Looking beneath the propaganda painting the Saudi prince as a reformer bringing his country into modernity.
Ch. 5: Who’s in the Driving Seat of the US – Saudi Relationship? Part 2 - The Inquiry - Air Date 8-22-18
Many have begun to question the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Will the US support Saudi Arabia no matter what? So on this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking, who’s in the driving seat when it comes to the US – Saudi alliance?
Ch. 6: Why Trump can't quit Mohammed bin-Salman - The Daily - Air Date 10-23-18
From the moment he was named the country’s day-to-day leader, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia has disappointed the United States over and over again. Yet the Trump White House hasn’t let go of him. Guest: Mark Landler
Ch. 7: Saudi Arabia - @LastWeekTonight with @iamjohnoliver - Air Date 10-14-18
Following the alarming disappearance of a Saudi journalist and political dissident, John Oliver examines America's uncomfortably comfortable relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Ch. 8: Paul Jay on the US-Saudi Special Relationship - @TheRealNews - Air Date 10-16-18
TRNN’s Paul Jay and Ben Norton discuss why America sees the Saudi monarchy as a key player in its global empire, and the key role of arms sales and fossil fuels in geopolitics.
Jeremy Scahill on the continuity of the US/Saudi relationship and the only difference with Trump in the roll being his blunt honesty about it.
VOICEMAILS
Ch. 10: My experience with Outvote - Jill from Connecticut
Ch. 11: Final comments with stories of trading privacy for social benefit
THE POST-MIDTERMS MINUTE ('cause they aren't over...)
Help Stacy Abrams in Georgia Gov Recount
Help Bill Nelson in Florida Sen Recount
Help Andrew Gillum in Florida Gov Recount
Help Krysten Sinema in Arizona Sen Close Race
Mississippi Sen. Run Off Nov. 27th: Help Mike Espy Win!
Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman
MUSIC(Blue Dot Sessions):
- Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
- Astrisx - Bodytonic
- Great is the Contessa - The Contessa
- The Spinnet - Castle Danger
- The Envelope - Aeronaut
- Turning to You - Landsman Duets
- The Summit - K2
- Cloud Line - K4
- Insatiable Toad - Origami
- Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
- Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Support the show via Patreon
Listen on iTunes | Stitcher| Spotify| Alexa Devices| +more
Check out the BotL iOS/AndroidApp in the App Stores!
Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft
Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | This program is made possible by members and donors, so huge thanks to everyone who |
| 0:06.8 | contributes on Patreon to support the show. |
| 0:09.6 | And now welcome to this episode of the award-winning Best of Left Podcast, in which we shall learn |
| 0:14.4 | about the stunningly consistent history of the relationship between the US and Saudi |
| 0:19.7 | Arabia, which was born out of a need for oil and sustained for the sake of an empire. |
| 0:25.2 | Today come from the Empire Files, the inquiry on the media intercepted the daily last week |
| 0:31.5 | tonight and the real news. |
| 0:37.3 | The land that would become Saudi Arabia was once four distinct regions encircled and partially |
| 0:42.4 | owned by the Turkish Empire. |
| 0:44.6 | Its hidden treasure was yet to be discovered, so the barren land went largely ignored by |
| 0:49.0 | colonial powers. |
| 0:51.4 | At the dawn of the 20th century, one man followed his wealthy family's footsteps to achieve |
| 0:56.6 | a modest dream. |
| 0:58.3 | To be a king and rule supreme of our diverse region, in a little over 20 years through pillaging |
| 1:04.4 | and conquering the countryside, Ibn Saad declared himself king in 1925. |
| 1:10.6 | In 1927, he was recognized by the United Kingdom as ruler of the realm, but he already had |
| 1:16.8 | to revolt on his hands by the same religious militia that he had depended on, to rise |
| 1:21.4 | to power, so he massacred them. |
| 1:24.7 | And by 1932, Ibn Saad's kingdom of Saudi Arabia was complete. |
| 1:29.7 | He had tried failed to also capture the southern territory that is Yemen today. |
| 1:35.1 | His 45 sons became the heirs to power and profit in Saudi Arabia. |
| 1:41.7 | At the conclusion of World War I, the victorious empires carved up the land, but still weren't |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jay Tomlinson, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Jay Tomlinson and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.