Following the refusal of the Security Council seat by Saudi Arabia, a source for Al Jazeera news identified as “close to Saudi policy” said that “Saudi doesn’t want to find itself any longer in a situation where it is dependent.” The evolution of Saudi-American relations should not come as a surprise to anyone. Though politicians in the U.S. have often called for “energy independence,” it has only recently become a more probable reality with new technology to exploit energy resources. Saudi Arabia relies on their oil wealth for much international clout, and it is undoubtedly troublesome if their most powerful ally is unaffected. This shift, or perceived split between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, is merely good politics, diversifying each nations’ relations with the broader world.
Much can be said for Saudi Arabia’s refusal of the Security Council seat. Though it is a powerful position, as the French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, remarked to the BBC, “the Security Council has been unable to act.” Rather than placing themselves on the Security Council, where they would be unlikely to affect a change in either Syria or Palestine because of Russia or the U.S. respectively, Saudi Arabia used it as a platform with which they could air their grievances to the wider international community. Whether or not they have caused direct change, they have started a louder discussion on the state of the United Nations as an organization, and they still have the option to reverse their decision, and to instead join the council as was initially expected. Following their refusal, the Arab UN members released a statement urging their country to accept the seat, saying that Saudi Arabia should “continue their brave role in defending our issues.” International relations are a show on the largest stage, and this recent act has only served to enhance the stature of the Saudi kingdom, as they work to show that they serve as a representative for many Gulf and Arab nations.
Growing pains can only be expected as the Obama administration continues to throw it’s support into the possibility of a long-term deal with Iran — often characterized as Saudi Arabia’s regional rival — and as both countries find themselves with differing opinions on areas such as Syria and Palestine. These issues are becoming harder and harder to ignore for the sake of other issues as they were in the past. However, both nations continue to find mutual interests where they agree, and both nations profit from this partnership. For all the loud talk from Saudi Arabia, the lack of action to truly break with the U.S. speaks even more clearly.