The Relationship Between The United States And Saudi Arabia And The Influence Of Religious Factors

Saudi Arabia is an important also “special” ally of United States in Middle East.As the most influential country in the world, United States adapts presidential republic, whose political philosophy is pursuing freedom, democracy and equality.With “Manifest Destiny” blending in its traditional foreign policy, The United States keens on pursuing its global freedom, democracy and human rights with peaceful way or military way. As the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia implements monarchy politically. Its religion belongs to Wahhabi Islam characterized as strong fundamentalist trend, and high on spreading its religion to countries in Middle East,North Africa and even other part of the world. Comparing with other Allies of United States, Saudi Arabia is a very “special” one.Author attempts to explain the religious factor in the formation and development of this “special” alliance, focusing on the impact of religion on US-Saudi relations.The establishment of US-Saudi alliance closely relates to religious factors. The modern Saudi Arabia is a state with combination of religious and political power,Islam is of important significance. Thus, religion is the main factor for Saudi foreign relations and policy-making. US-Saudi relations primarily pushed by private oil companies, strengthened by the purple of “anti-communist” during Cold War.However, after the Cold War, religion barely be the factor to maintains the relations between those two countries after the threat put by Communist. After the Gulf War,American garrison in Saudi Arabia become the big obstacle of U.S.-Saudi relations.Saudi Wahhabi Islam characterized as conservative and fundamentalist tendency is the main source of religious extremism which seen as the main threat of security and mutability in Middle East. The religious conflicts between America and Saudi Arabia are substantial and make bilateral relations fluctuate. The order in Middle East is influenced by religious factor and communal conflict will be one of the features in this region.