#132 - Has the U.S.-Saudi "Special Relationship" Outlived its Usefulness?

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🗓️ 15 February 2017

⏱️ 51 minutes

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Summary

Motion: The Special U.S.-Saudi Relationship Has Outlived Its Usefulness In 1945, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia met onboard the USS Quincy. A close relationship between the two countries has been maintained ever since, with oil and military and intelligence cooperation at its foundation. But the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. shale revolution, human rights concerns, and diverging interests in the Middle East, have all put strains on this relationship. Has this special relationship outlived its usefulness, or is it too important to walk away from? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Just as there is no such thing as the perfect spouse, almost no such thing, there is also almost
0:09.3	not such thing as the perfect ally.
0:11.6	Are the nations that we call our partners, interesting word, and there are lots of them.
0:16.3	They have their own problems and pursuits which sometimes will grate up against American
0:20.2	purposes and ideals.
0:21.2	That is true of Israel.
0:23.0	It's true of France.
0:24.0	It is oh so true of Canada.
0:26.0	I'm kidding on Canada.
0:27.0	Canada might actually be almost the perfect ally.
0:29.9	But the one we are going to look at tonight is Saudi Arabia.
0:34.0	Steadfast, stable, swimming and all that oil we like, but also an embarrassment on the
0:40.2	human rights front, the place that most of the 9-11 hijackers came from, a monarchy whose
0:45.1	talent for attracting enemies might suggest that US co-signness with Saudi Arabia represents
0:50.0	a liability.
0:51.0	Well, all of that is debatable.
0:53.5	So let's do it.
0:54.5	Yes or no to this statement.
0:56.4	The special US-Saudi relationship has outlived its usefulness.
1:01.5	A debate from intelligence squared US.
1:03.5	I'm John Don Van.
1:04.6	As always, our debate will go in three rounds and then our live audience here at the Kaufman
	...

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