Bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States are based on mutual respect, cooperation and common interests and the two sides give them special status due to their history, which dates back to 1931, when oil exploration and production in the kingdom began commercially and then late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud granted the right of exploration to an American oil company, followed by the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two countries in 1933 supporting this important economic aspect, which has become a global economic force in this day and age. After twelve years from the date of that agreement, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud boosted bilateral relations with the United States with a historic meeting with US President Franklin Roosevelt on board the US cruiser (USS Quincy) in February 14, 1945 AD. That meeting was considered the turning point in the transformation of the kingdom's relations with the US to a strategic alliance in various fields. Afterwards, the kingdom harnessed this relationship and other international relations to meet its national interests with the countries of the world including the US, and serve Arab and Islamic nations' causes. The kingdom enjoys global interest in general and US interest in particular as a result of its Islamic, political and economic status and is considered one of the pillars of strategic security in the Arab region. Its oil wealth has increased its international role in balancing the global economy over the years as a result of oil turning into a global commodity affecting the economies of many consuming countries. Its location on the shores of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf make it unique in its geographical position in the region. --More
