How did the 1970's oil crisis affect the US SAUDI relations ( in other Essay

How did the 1970's oil crisis affect the US SAUDI relations ( in other words what does the 1970's oil shock tell us about the U - Essay Example On her part, the United States was in need of quenching her thirst for oil which Saudi Arabian offered (Frum, 2000,76). However, the relationship between the two countries was not based on equality principles, making the United States refuse to honor some parts of the agreement. This was especially when the congress ordered the government to stop the supply of weapons for fear that they would be used to launch attacks on Israel. This act coupled by direct financial and weapon aid to Israel angered many oil producing countries. The resolution was to punish the United States through the oil embargo. This gave Saudi Arabia an opportunity to demonstrate its competitive advantage over the United States. Though the embargo would later be lifted after negotiations with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, it brought changes in the way the two countries would relate in future. To the United States, there was need to review the way it related with other nations. The resumption of the relationship wit h Saudi Arabia was to be based on equality, respect and mutual benefits. The United States would also act as a mediator for peace in the Middle East instead of appearing to foster the aggression against Palestine by Israel. Great personalities such as Yamani, Ahmed Zaki and Ali Al-Naimi were imperative in shaping the relations between US and Saudi Arabia (Robinson, 1989, 87). History of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship and causes of the oil crisis The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted. Its history dates back just before the commencement of the Second World War (Ian, 2004, 87). With the realization that Saudi Arabia had a huge reserve for oil, the United States was willing to do everything possible to cement its relationship with this country. Saudi Arabia had a competitive edge that many countries in the Asian continent did not have due to its resources in oil. Its importance was demonstrated when President Franklin Roosevelt ordered protection of Saudi Arabia (Hammes, 2005, 98). While this could be described as an ulterior motive since the country wanted to benefit from oil, this act assisted in cementing the relationship between the two countries. In addition to that, the United States with its engineers began the construction of military bases, infrastructure and training the Saudi Arabian military. The agreement between the two countries included the supply of the latest weapons to the Saudis in order to protect themselves from the eminent threat of attack from aggressors such as Iraq. On the other hand, the United States would be allow to construct its military bases in Saudi Arabia, while at the same time buying oil which at the time would cost at less than $3 a barrel. This enabled the United States meet the high demand for oil. During the cold war, the relationship between the two countries became even more solid. There was a threat that the Soviet Union would attack Saudi Arabia due to their relations with the Un ited States (Hammes, 2005, 100). While the Soviet Union was spreading the communism ideologies, the United States promoted the capitalism. However, the United States demonstrated its support by defending this country against any threat. This was clear when Iraq had invaded Saudi Arabia, with an aim of destroying its relations with the west. At the time, the United States

Andrew Young Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Andrew Young - Research Paper Example At a very young age he realized the difference in treatment of blacks and whites and always wanted to bring a change to the society. At a very early age he learned principles which later became a central part of his contributions towards the Civil rights movement. He realized that fighting was not only the way one can settle a dispute and disputes could be settled through talks (Young 24). After attaining his bachelor’s level degree, he was not sure what he wanted to do and believed that he had a higher purpose to serve. During the summers of 1947, he started working as a volunteer at United Christian Youth Movement (Young 98). When he was operating as a volunteer, he realized that being of service was the best job anyone can have. He started believing that helping people regardless of their age and race was important and thus he finally came up with the decision of attaining the position of a minister. 5 years after working as a volunteer he learned regarding different religi ous leaders through a seminar and was really impressed by the teachings of Mohandas Gandhi (DeRoche 6). The teachings of Gandhi impressed him and he was able to relate with his teachings, especially with Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolent ways of solving disputes. During the same year, he was assigned with task of preaching to the community of Marion and while preaching he made his future life partner who shared Andrew’s ideology as well as objectives. 3 years later Andrew obtained a divinity degree and at that time he even realized that he had the ability to change the conflict taking place in the nation. Andrew started his contributions towards the Civil Rights Movement when he started being a religious preacher in Georgia. While preaching religion, he realized that he should make more efforts for the betterment of the society and thus started advocating the issue of equal voting rights. His