“U.S. Relations with Saudi Arabia: Oil, Anxiety, and Ambivalence”
from the Project on Middle East Democracy
Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) questioned if Saudi Arabia is really an ally in the War on Terror, and he credited the Bush Administration for encouraging some reforms in Saudi Arabia. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) expressed concern about the funding for terrorism and the high number of terrorists that have come out of Saudi Arabia ... In his testimony, Mr. Lee S. Wolosky (Partner, Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP) pointed out that Saudi Arabia has not made [enough] significant and necessary changes, and that Saudi Arabia continues to export Wahabism that furthers Islamic extremism. Rep. Rohrabacher argued that there needs to be significant changes in Saudi Arabia before any arms deal. He also asked if the US should take action against Saudi Arabia if we have evidence that the regime is “turning a blind eye.” on terrorist activities in the kingdom.