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Kings and Presidents: Inside the Special Relationship Between Saudi Arabia and America Since FDR
An insider's account of the often-fraught U.S.-Saudi relationship
Saudi Arabia and the United States have been partners since 1943, when President Roosevelt met with two future Saudi monarchs. Subsequent U.S. presidents have had direct relationships with those kings and their successors--setting the tone for a special partnership between an absolute monarchy with a unique Islamic identity and the world's most powerful democracy.
Although based in large part on economic interests, the U.S.-Saudi relationship has rarely been smooth. Differences over Israel have caused friction since the early days, and ambiguities about Saudi involvement--or lack of it--in the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States continue to haunt the relationship. Now, both countries have new, still-to be-tested leaders in President Trump and King Salman.
Bruce Riedel for decades has followed these kings and presidents during his career at the CIA, the White House, and Brookings. This book offers an insider's account of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, with unique insights. Using declassified documents, memoirs by both Saudis and Americans, and eyewitness accounts, this book takes the reader inside the royal palaces, the holy cities, and the White House to gain an understanding of this complex partnership.
Saudi Arabia and the United States have been partners since 1943, when President Roosevelt met with two future Saudi monarchs. Subsequent U.S. presidents have had direct relationships with those kings and their successors--setting the tone for a special partnership between an absolute monarchy with a unique Islamic identity and the world's most powerful democracy.
Although based in large part on economic interests, the U.S.-Saudi relationship has rarely been smooth. Differences over Israel have caused friction since the early days, and ambiguities about Saudi involvement--or lack of it--in the September 11 terrorist attacks against the United States continue to haunt the relationship. Now, both countries have new, still-to be-tested leaders in President Trump and King Salman.
Bruce Riedel for decades has followed these kings and presidents during his career at the CIA, the White House, and Brookings. This book offers an insider's account of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, with unique insights. Using declassified documents, memoirs by both Saudis and Americans, and eyewitness accounts, this book takes the reader inside the royal palaces, the holy cities, and the White House to gain an understanding of this complex partnership.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published November 21, 2017
90 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Riedel
30 books52 followersBruce Riedel is a senior fellow and director of the Brookings Intelligence Project, part of the Brookings Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence. In addition, Riedel serves as a senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy. He retired in 2006 after 30 years of service at the Central Intelligence Agency, including postings overseas. He was a senior advisor on South Asia and the Middle East to the last four presidents of the United States in the staff of the National Security Council at the White House. He was also deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Near East and South Asia at the Pentagon and a senior advisor at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels.
Riedel was a member of President Bill Clinton’s peace process team and negotiated at Camp David and other Arab-Israeli summits and he organized Clinton’s trip to India in 2000. In January 2009, President Barack Obama asked him to chair a review of American policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, the results of which the president announced in a speech on March 27, 2009.
In 2011, Riedel served as an expert advisor to the prosecution of al Qaeda terrorist Omar Farooq Abdulmutallab in Detroit. In December 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron asked him to brief the United Kingdom’s National Security Council in London on Pakistan.
Riedel is a graduate of Brown (B.A.), Harvard (M.A.), and the Royal College of Defense Studies in London. He has taught at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and Johns Hopkins University’s School for Advanced International Studies, and he has been a guest lecturer at Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, and other universities. Riedel is a recipient of the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the Distinguished Intelligence Career Medal.
Riedel was a member of President Bill Clinton’s peace process team and negotiated at Camp David and other Arab-Israeli summits and he organized Clinton’s trip to India in 2000. In January 2009, President Barack Obama asked him to chair a review of American policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, the results of which the president announced in a speech on March 27, 2009.
In 2011, Riedel served as an expert advisor to the prosecution of al Qaeda terrorist Omar Farooq Abdulmutallab in Detroit. In December 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron asked him to brief the United Kingdom’s National Security Council in London on Pakistan.
Riedel is a graduate of Brown (B.A.), Harvard (M.A.), and the Royal College of Defense Studies in London. He has taught at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and Johns Hopkins University’s School for Advanced International Studies, and he has been a guest lecturer at Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, and other universities. Riedel is a recipient of the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the Distinguished Intelligence Career Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 5, 2018
Great book. There's important information in almost every page, sometimes every paragraph. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in this topic. To me, this book is incredibly important because it provides information from someone outside my country, Saudi Arabia. Someone who sees things from the outside, and receives information from the inside, and then puts it all in one book.
February 12, 2018
A good reading for those who have never been to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia or have any idea about the relationship between the different american administrations since the first meeting between FDR and first king.
Since the period just before the end of WWI to the present, both countries fully understand that their separate ideologies are diametrically opposite each other; however the mutual self-centered interests have prevailed as the glue to this awkward relationship. The common citizens of each country continue to vaguely understand each other and constantly are weary thinking each is an adversary; knowing little of the behind the scenes real politic decisions taken by their respective governments that are puzzling.
America knows that KSA is an integral ally but is fully aware that what worked in the past has reached a pivotal point since the Arab Spring in 2011. The House of Saud is at a critical point that can no longer be ignored. The author in a diplomatic manner concludes that in order for the royals to continue to be in the driver seat, tangible reform on all fronts is a MUST; otherwise it jeopardizes its existence.
Since the period just before the end of WWI to the present, both countries fully understand that their separate ideologies are diametrically opposite each other; however the mutual self-centered interests have prevailed as the glue to this awkward relationship. The common citizens of each country continue to vaguely understand each other and constantly are weary thinking each is an adversary; knowing little of the behind the scenes real politic decisions taken by their respective governments that are puzzling.
America knows that KSA is an integral ally but is fully aware that what worked in the past has reached a pivotal point since the Arab Spring in 2011. The House of Saud is at a critical point that can no longer be ignored. The author in a diplomatic manner concludes that in order for the royals to continue to be in the driver seat, tangible reform on all fronts is a MUST; otherwise it jeopardizes its existence.
July 13, 2019
الطبعة الاولى لهذا الكتاب صدرت في منتصف العام 2017 تقريبا و المؤلف هو باحث له تاريخ طويل من العمل بالقرب من الرؤساء و المسؤولين الامريكان سواء في البيت الابيض او الاستخبارات و الامن القومي. و هو و كما يذكر تمتع بصداقة قوية مع الامير بندر سفير المملكة السابق في امريكا. موضوع العلاقات بين المملكة و امريكا اشبع بحثا و الكتب التي تتناول هذه العلاقات كثيرة. من هذا الجانب، يمكن القول بأن هذا الكتاب لم يأتي بالشيء الكثير خارج ما كتب سابقا. لكن من جانب اخر، يركز المؤلف على العلاقات بين ملوك المملكة و الرؤساء الامريكيين و كيف مرت هذه العلاقات من خلال مختلف الاحداث و الازمات
يبدأ المؤلف بالحديث عن اللقاء التاريخي بين الملك المؤسس عبدالعزيز و الرئيس روزفلت في مصر في عام 1945. و يعرض المؤلف الكثير من تفاصيل هذا اللقاء و من بين ذلك موقف الملك عبدالعزيز المتشدد و الرافض للمقترح الامريكي بتوطين اليهود الناجين من محارق النازية في فلسطين. اذ ينقل عن المترجم الذي حضر اللقاء بأن روزفلت ذكر لاحقا بأن الملك عبدالعزيز هو اصعب شخصية واجهها في اي مفاوضات. و يورد المؤلف بعض التفاصيل الظريفة عن اللقاء ايضا و كيف حدث سوء تفاهم كاد ان يغضب الملك بسبب ان الوفد الامريكي اقام مأدبة للوفد السعودي و عندما اراد الملك اقامة مأدبة لاحقا من قبيل العادات و التقاليد العربية اعتذر الامريكان بسبب ضيق الوقت فأعتبر الملك هذا الشيء بمثابة قلة احترام و عبر عن غضبه فأقترح الرئيس الامريكي حل وسط و هو ان تكون هناك جلسة لشرب القهوة العربية.
في الفصل التالي يتناول المؤلف العلاقات بين الملكين سعود و فيصل و الرئيس كنيدي و لاحقا جونسون و نيكسون. من الجوانب المهمة في هذا الفصل هو موضوع حرب اليمن و الموقف الامريكي منها. اذ كان الامريكان في حيرة ما بين الوقوف مع عبدالناصر على اعتبار زعامته في المنطقة او الوقوف مع المملكة. في هذا الفصل ايضا تحدث المؤلف بالتفصيل عن موقف الملك فيصل من القضية الفلسطينية و عن حظر النفط في السبعينات و عن بعض الاراء المتهورة في الجانب الامريكي التي اقترحت خططا لغزو المنطقة الشرقية.
يتناول المؤلف بعد ذلك عهد الملك خالد و ولي العهد وقتها الامير فهد متحدثا عن ازمات عاصفة في ذلك الوقت مابين الثورة الايرانية و معاهدة السلام المصرية الاسرائيلية و احداث المسجد الحرام و الحرب العراقية الايرانية و حتى احتلال بيروت في بداية عهد الملك فهد. و على الرغم من متانة العلاقات السعودية الامريكية وقتها الا انه يسرد بعض الازمات الكبيرة التي عصفت بالعلاقات بين البلدين و من ذلك تعطيل اللوبي الاسرائيلي لصفقات السلاح السعودية و كيف توصل السعوديون الى حل بالنسبة لموضوع طائرات اف 15 و ذلك بإبعادها عن قاعدة تبوك ثم يتحدث عن غضب الملك فهد بعد تورط الرئيس ريغان في صفقة تمرير سلاح للجانب الايراني عبر اسرائيل الحرب العراقية الايرانية و عن صفقة صواريخ رياح الشرق السعودية الصينية التي اغضبت الجانب الامريكي. و بالتأكيد يحضر موضوع الاحتلال السوفييتي لأفغانستان و كيف نجح التحالف السعودي الباكستاني الامريكي في هزيمة الجيش الاحمر و التعجيل بسقوط الاتحاد السوفييتي
حرب تحرير الكويت كان لها جانب من التغطية المفصلة في الكتاب تلاها عهد الملك عبدالله كولي للعهد في التسعينات و قضية السلام و موقف الامير عبدالله القوي في رفض دعوتين لزيارة امريكا في بداية عهد بوش في اعقاب الانتفاضة الثانية و قبل احداث سبتمبر و كذلك الخلاف الحاد الذي وقع اثناء زيارته في عام 2002 و كيف وصفت كوندوليزا رايس اعتزام الملك عبدالله الانسحاب من اللقاء بأنه كاد ان يحدث كارثة في العلاقات بين البلدين. ثم يتناول المؤلف احداث غزو العراق و عهد اوباما و احداث العام 2011 في العالم العربي و موقف الملك عبدالله من احداث مصر و البحرين و الذي خالف فيه الموقف الامريكي و فرض واقع ضد الرغبة الامريكية.
الفصل الاخير تناول فيه بشكل مختصرجدا و بحكم توقيت صدور الكتاب عهد الملك سلمان و الرئيس ترامب.
المؤلف و في ختام الكتاب يرى بأن مستقبل العلاقات بين البلدين سيتحدد بناء على 3 محاور هي القضية الفلسطينية، التشدد الديني، و الاصلاح السياسي في المنطقة. و هنا ربما يكون المؤلف قد لجأ الى دفاتره القديمة فالأحداث في المنطقة اليوم تختلف كثيرا عما كانت عليه في الثمانينات و التسعينات و العقد الاول من الالفية الثانية. فتجاهل المؤلف في هذه الخاتمة محاور ايران و حركات الاسلام السياسي و انهيار الدول الوطنية في المنطقة و مستقبل النفط و هي جميعها قد تكون اكثر اهمية في تحديد مستقبل العلاقات بين السعودية و امريكا
بقي الى ان اشير بأن المؤلف وقع في اخطاء فادحة في بعض المعلومات من ذلك مثلا اشارته الى الملك خالد كأحد السدارة السبع او الى توقيت تنحي الملك سعود او زعمه بأن المؤسسة الدينية وقفت ضد الملك فيصل في خلافه مع الملك سعود و هي اخطأ و ان لم تؤثر على افكار الكتاب الا انها لم ينبغي لها ان تحدث من مؤلف مطلع
يبدأ المؤلف بالحديث عن اللقاء التاريخي بين الملك المؤسس عبدالعزيز و الرئيس روزفلت في مصر في عام 1945. و يعرض المؤلف الكثير من تفاصيل هذا اللقاء و من بين ذلك موقف الملك عبدالعزيز المتشدد و الرافض للمقترح الامريكي بتوطين اليهود الناجين من محارق النازية في فلسطين. اذ ينقل عن المترجم الذي حضر اللقاء بأن روزفلت ذكر لاحقا بأن الملك عبدالعزيز هو اصعب شخصية واجهها في اي مفاوضات. و يورد المؤلف بعض التفاصيل الظريفة عن اللقاء ايضا و كيف حدث سوء تفاهم كاد ان يغضب الملك بسبب ان الوفد الامريكي اقام مأدبة للوفد السعودي و عندما اراد الملك اقامة مأدبة لاحقا من قبيل العادات و التقاليد العربية اعتذر الامريكان بسبب ضيق الوقت فأعتبر الملك هذا الشيء بمثابة قلة احترام و عبر عن غضبه فأقترح الرئيس الامريكي حل وسط و هو ان تكون هناك جلسة لشرب القهوة العربية.
في الفصل التالي يتناول المؤلف العلاقات بين الملكين سعود و فيصل و الرئيس كنيدي و لاحقا جونسون و نيكسون. من الجوانب المهمة في هذا الفصل هو موضوع حرب اليمن و الموقف الامريكي منها. اذ كان الامريكان في حيرة ما بين الوقوف مع عبدالناصر على اعتبار زعامته في المنطقة او الوقوف مع المملكة. في هذا الفصل ايضا تحدث المؤلف بالتفصيل عن موقف الملك فيصل من القضية الفلسطينية و عن حظر النفط في السبعينات و عن بعض الاراء المتهورة في الجانب الامريكي التي اقترحت خططا لغزو المنطقة الشرقية.
يتناول المؤلف بعد ذلك عهد الملك خالد و ولي العهد وقتها الامير فهد متحدثا عن ازمات عاصفة في ذلك الوقت مابين الثورة الايرانية و معاهدة السلام المصرية الاسرائيلية و احداث المسجد الحرام و الحرب العراقية الايرانية و حتى احتلال بيروت في بداية عهد الملك فهد. و على الرغم من متانة العلاقات السعودية الامريكية وقتها الا انه يسرد بعض الازمات الكبيرة التي عصفت بالعلاقات بين البلدين و من ذلك تعطيل اللوبي الاسرائيلي لصفقات السلاح السعودية و كيف توصل السعوديون الى حل بالنسبة لموضوع طائرات اف 15 و ذلك بإبعادها عن قاعدة تبوك ثم يتحدث عن غضب الملك فهد بعد تورط الرئيس ريغان في صفقة تمرير سلاح للجانب الايراني عبر اسرائيل الحرب العراقية الايرانية و عن صفقة صواريخ رياح الشرق السعودية الصينية التي اغضبت الجانب الامريكي. و بالتأكيد يحضر موضوع الاحتلال السوفييتي لأفغانستان و كيف نجح التحالف السعودي الباكستاني الامريكي في هزيمة الجيش الاحمر و التعجيل بسقوط الاتحاد السوفييتي
حرب تحرير الكويت كان لها جانب من التغطية المفصلة في الكتاب تلاها عهد الملك عبدالله كولي للعهد في التسعينات و قضية السلام و موقف الامير عبدالله القوي في رفض دعوتين لزيارة امريكا في بداية عهد بوش في اعقاب الانتفاضة الثانية و قبل احداث سبتمبر و كذلك الخلاف الحاد الذي وقع اثناء زيارته في عام 2002 و كيف وصفت كوندوليزا رايس اعتزام الملك عبدالله الانسحاب من اللقاء بأنه كاد ان يحدث كارثة في العلاقات بين البلدين. ثم يتناول المؤلف احداث غزو العراق و عهد اوباما و احداث العام 2011 في العالم العربي و موقف الملك عبدالله من احداث مصر و البحرين و الذي خالف فيه الموقف الامريكي و فرض واقع ضد الرغبة الامريكية.
الفصل الاخير تناول فيه بشكل مختصرجدا و بحكم توقيت صدور الكتاب عهد الملك سلمان و الرئيس ترامب.
المؤلف و في ختام الكتاب يرى بأن مستقبل العلاقات بين البلدين سيتحدد بناء على 3 محاور هي القضية الفلسطينية، التشدد الديني، و الاصلاح السياسي في المنطقة. و هنا ربما يكون المؤلف قد لجأ الى دفاتره القديمة فالأحداث في المنطقة اليوم تختلف كثيرا عما كانت عليه في الثمانينات و التسعينات و العقد الاول من الالفية الثانية. فتجاهل المؤلف في هذه الخاتمة محاور ايران و حركات الاسلام السياسي و انهيار الدول الوطنية في المنطقة و مستقبل النفط و هي جميعها قد تكون اكثر اهمية في تحديد مستقبل العلاقات بين السعودية و امريكا
بقي الى ان اشير بأن المؤلف وقع في اخطاء فادحة في بعض المعلومات من ذلك مثلا اشارته الى الملك خالد كأحد السدارة السبع او الى توقيت تنحي الملك سعود او زعمه بأن المؤسسة الدينية وقفت ضد الملك فيصل في خلافه مع الملك سعود و هي اخطأ و ان لم تؤثر على افكار الكتاب الا انها لم ينبغي لها ان تحدث من مؤلف مطلع
January 16, 2018
Riedell's books are usually considered among the best on the given subject as soon as they're published. Kings and presidents is no exception. He charts the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States from its beginning in 1943 to the present day by using specific case studies. The only criticism I've ever had of Bruce Riedell's works is that they are much too short. He is so insightful that the reader is always left wanting more.
December 15, 2023
I finished reading Kings and Presidents on the day Henry Kissinger died and his influence was certainly felt in this book. The author Bruce Reidel is less significant to US foreign policy than Kissinger but occupies a unique place as a Saudi Arabia expert in the US foreign policy establishment. Boasting titles such as 'Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence' and 'Special Assistant to the President', Reidel is a namesake of the American Mandarin. He comes from a different ideological perspective than my own but I respect his work in government particularly when compared to the dearth of successful American leadership in recent years (not to say that hardworking bureaucrats aren't doing their best).
Following the narrative of the book, US-Saudi relations got started in 1945 with the meeting between Ibn Saud and FDR. Ever since, they’ve had a rocky relationship, especially when the Israel-Arab conflict was thrown into the mix. The United States desired cheap global oil and offered to protect the House of Saud. These two countries have few connections other than this bargain, and the United States has often found itself blundering on the Kingdom's behalf. Kings and Presidents does a decent job of outlining this relationship and its various ups and downs. It’s pretty short and it misses some key emphasises, but was a decent intro to US-Saudi relations. If you are new to Geopolitics, ‘America’s war for the Greater Middle East’ or ‘Enough Already’ will serve you far better. That being said this book gave me a greater appreciation for the complexity of the ‘Arab cold war’ and Saudi Arabia’s role in the Middle East.
I'm generally aligned against the malignant influence of Saudi Arabia on both American politics and the Islamic world. One of the few silver linings to come from October 7th is the death of the Abraham Accords. When Saudi Arabia begins to collapse (just look at the Saudi systems’ breakeven price for oil), its survival will depend on a rebellion against 250 years of US ideological development. If the United States was smart, they would cut this vassal state loose.
Following the narrative of the book, US-Saudi relations got started in 1945 with the meeting between Ibn Saud and FDR. Ever since, they’ve had a rocky relationship, especially when the Israel-Arab conflict was thrown into the mix. The United States desired cheap global oil and offered to protect the House of Saud. These two countries have few connections other than this bargain, and the United States has often found itself blundering on the Kingdom's behalf. Kings and Presidents does a decent job of outlining this relationship and its various ups and downs. It’s pretty short and it misses some key emphasises, but was a decent intro to US-Saudi relations. If you are new to Geopolitics, ‘America’s war for the Greater Middle East’ or ‘Enough Already’ will serve you far better. That being said this book gave me a greater appreciation for the complexity of the ‘Arab cold war’ and Saudi Arabia’s role in the Middle East.
I'm generally aligned against the malignant influence of Saudi Arabia on both American politics and the Islamic world. One of the few silver linings to come from October 7th is the death of the Abraham Accords. When Saudi Arabia begins to collapse (just look at the Saudi systems’ breakeven price for oil), its survival will depend on a rebellion against 250 years of US ideological development. If the United States was smart, they would cut this vassal state loose.
February 23, 2019
The Obama Administration saw Saudi Arabia both as a bulwark against terrorism and as a counterbalance to Iran. In “Kings and Presidents, the former C.I.A. officer Bruce Riedel writes that “no president since Franklin Roosevelt courted Saudi Arabia as zealously as did Obama.” Not only did Obama authorize more arms sales than any other U.S. President; he visited Saudi Arabia more frequently than any of his predecessors.
December 11, 2017
Protests erupted throughout the Muslim world in response to Donald Trump’s announcement on US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. “Over the course of a seven-decade alliance with the United States, Saudi Arabia has consistently emphasized one foreign-policy goal – resolution of the Palestinian conflict with Israel and end to Israeli occupation,” writes Susan Froetschel who reviews "Kings and Presidents: Saudi Arabia and the United States Since FDR" by Bruce Riedel. “But with new players, the alliance has entered a new phase with tradition, cautions and promises shoved to the side.” Riedel had a 30-year career with the US Central Intelligence Agency before serving with the US National Security Council, the Department of Defense and NATO. Froetschel identifies the unresolved Palestinian crisis as the book’s most persistent theme and suggests the timely analysis offers lessons in the value of insightful intelligence, meticulous diplomacy and experienced leadership. Read the review at YaleGlobal Online.
July 23, 2018
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Na minha onda de estudos sobre Oriente Médio acabei por comprar na promoção esse livro. Escrito por um ex-agente da CIA e que trabalhou diretamente com diversos presidentes norte-americanos, o livro se propõe a contar a história da relação entre todos os reis sauditas desde a fundação da Arábia Saudita moderna (o que ocorreu entre a primeira e a segunda guerra mundial) e os respectivos presidentes norte-americanos.
Considerando que o escritor trabalhou na CIA, o livro tem um viés norte-americano bastante nítido, e totalmente esperado. As partes que envolveram pesquisas históricas e entrevistas por parte do autor para a realização do livro me surpreenderam muito positivamente pela qualidade do material. Em compensação, a parte mais atual da história, onde o autor teve um papel muito próximo de todos os contatos e políticas desenvolvidas deixaram a desejar.
Isso acontece primeiro porque tem uma questão de confidencialidade de diversos dados, e ele, como ex-funcionário, solicitou que a CIA fizesse uma revisão no texto final para retirada de quaisquer dados considerados ainda confidenciais. Segundo, o autor mostrou dificuldade em se distanciar da história que está contando. Talvez por conta de uma possível briga e posterior saída da CIA por conta da posse do presidente Trump, o que ele transparece em diversos momentos como algo muito problemático pessoalmente. Talvez porque ele se sinta mesmo muito próximo de toda a situação, porque passou a vida inteira trabalhando com isso e tendo contato direto com diversos personagens importantes que ainda são relevantes na política externa saudita.
Independentemente da causa, o resultado não é satisfatório, especialmente em comparação com a primeira parte do livro.
Questões de conteúdo e, após certo ponto, também de forma, à parte, o livro é uma leitura extremamente interessante e informativa, especialmente na história até o final do século XX. Essa é a data de corte da qualidade da informação e da narrativa bem escrita. Mas ao mesmo tempo, por ser um livro muito recente, e que se dispõe a tratar do assunto até a data da sua publicação, a sua contemporaneidade o torna extremamente interessante e valioso, pois muitos dos assuntos tratados ao final do livro eram, e ainda são, tão recentes que a análise que o autor se dispõe a fazer precisa ser superficial, mas não menos válida e necessária no atual cenário do Oriente Médio.
A questão passa a ser o quão bem o livro vai envelhecer. Acredito que a primeira parte vai continuar sendo interessante e válida por muito tempo. Em compensação, a segunda parte corre grave risco de envelhecer mal e ser considerada no futuro um texto com informações imprecisas e incompletas. Só o tempo dirá.
Na minha onda de estudos sobre Oriente Médio acabei por comprar na promoção esse livro. Escrito por um ex-agente da CIA e que trabalhou diretamente com diversos presidentes norte-americanos, o livro se propõe a contar a história da relação entre todos os reis sauditas desde a fundação da Arábia Saudita moderna (o que ocorreu entre a primeira e a segunda guerra mundial) e os respectivos presidentes norte-americanos.
Considerando que o escritor trabalhou na CIA, o livro tem um viés norte-americano bastante nítido, e totalmente esperado. As partes que envolveram pesquisas históricas e entrevistas por parte do autor para a realização do livro me surpreenderam muito positivamente pela qualidade do material. Em compensação, a parte mais atual da história, onde o autor teve um papel muito próximo de todos os contatos e políticas desenvolvidas deixaram a desejar.
Isso acontece primeiro porque tem uma questão de confidencialidade de diversos dados, e ele, como ex-funcionário, solicitou que a CIA fizesse uma revisão no texto final para retirada de quaisquer dados considerados ainda confidenciais. Segundo, o autor mostrou dificuldade em se distanciar da história que está contando. Talvez por conta de uma possível briga e posterior saída da CIA por conta da posse do presidente Trump, o que ele transparece em diversos momentos como algo muito problemático pessoalmente. Talvez porque ele se sinta mesmo muito próximo de toda a situação, porque passou a vida inteira trabalhando com isso e tendo contato direto com diversos personagens importantes que ainda são relevantes na política externa saudita.
Independentemente da causa, o resultado não é satisfatório, especialmente em comparação com a primeira parte do livro.
Questões de conteúdo e, após certo ponto, também de forma, à parte, o livro é uma leitura extremamente interessante e informativa, especialmente na história até o final do século XX. Essa é a data de corte da qualidade da informação e da narrativa bem escrita. Mas ao mesmo tempo, por ser um livro muito recente, e que se dispõe a tratar do assunto até a data da sua publicação, a sua contemporaneidade o torna extremamente interessante e valioso, pois muitos dos assuntos tratados ao final do livro eram, e ainda são, tão recentes que a análise que o autor se dispõe a fazer precisa ser superficial, mas não menos válida e necessária no atual cenário do Oriente Médio.
A questão passa a ser o quão bem o livro vai envelhecer. Acredito que a primeira parte vai continuar sendo interessante e válida por muito tempo. Em compensação, a segunda parte corre grave risco de envelhecer mal e ser considerada no futuro um texto com informações imprecisas e incompletas. Só o tempo dirá.
May 11, 2021
did this book need to be published? maybe. did i need to read this book? probably not. but did i learn much? also no.
in this mixed-bag history of us-saudi relations, bruce riedel, a former counter terrorist analyst for the CIA, fuses oil history, CIA records, and personal anecdotes in an attempt to stitch together a narrative about one of the stranger diplomatic partnerships in modern history.
is this information important? maybe. if you’re really interested, this is a quick dip into the topic and provides decent analysis of modern middle east history. if you’re more familiar with the topic, you might get nothing out of it. virtually half of riedel’s citations are yergin’s tome about oil; if you’ve read that, you’ll probably be scraping the bottom of the barrel for new takes.
does anyone really need to read this? i dont think so. a good primer on modern middle east history is critical but this is probably not the best candidate for that.
overall, im not sure what riedel was going for. the book was to the point and the analysis was good, but i don’t really know what he was going for. mixed bag.
in this mixed-bag history of us-saudi relations, bruce riedel, a former counter terrorist analyst for the CIA, fuses oil history, CIA records, and personal anecdotes in an attempt to stitch together a narrative about one of the stranger diplomatic partnerships in modern history.
is this information important? maybe. if you’re really interested, this is a quick dip into the topic and provides decent analysis of modern middle east history. if you’re more familiar with the topic, you might get nothing out of it. virtually half of riedel’s citations are yergin’s tome about oil; if you’ve read that, you’ll probably be scraping the bottom of the barrel for new takes.
does anyone really need to read this? i dont think so. a good primer on modern middle east history is critical but this is probably not the best candidate for that.
overall, im not sure what riedel was going for. the book was to the point and the analysis was good, but i don’t really know what he was going for. mixed bag.
November 21, 2018
Very informative book by probably the person most knowledgeable on Saudi Arabia you had never heard of before (well, at least, I hadn't)!
The most recent period covered in the final chapters (covering the 45th president, aka as un-indicted co-conspirator #1, aka the child president, aka tiny little man) feels a little rushed, which makes sense since there hasn't been much time between the actual events and the analysis.
I'll just have to read Riedel on the Brookings institution website (great site by the way ) or elsewhere for some updates.
Highly recommended.
May 25, 2019
ACtually 4.5 stars. The Book is brief. Being a Muslim it is heart-wrenching to see Muslim Ummah divided. The book vividly explains the paranoia of Al-Saud House. The Middle East is the most troubled area in the world, with its dirty politics of Oil, Sectarian war, and private militia used to influence the region.
Anyone who wants to understand the Middle East should read this Book.
Anyone who wants to understand the Middle East should read this Book.
July 5, 2020
The book explores the thin line of shared interests between the most iconical democracy of modern times and the last absolute monarchy on the planet.
It unfolds over the midst of sand, luxury, and unexpected events that would build this relationship stronger and more expensive throughout the years.
It unfolds over the midst of sand, luxury, and unexpected events that would build this relationship stronger and more expensive throughout the years.
June 14, 2022
Excellent primer and discussion on the US-Saudi relationship at the highest levels of government. Engaging read that mostly uses accounts of meetings and interactions of presidents, kings, and their senior officials. The challenges each side faces managing the relationship—both at home and abroad-are discussed in detail.
September 8, 2018
Great introduction to Saudi-Arabia history and the relations between the US and the Arab Kingdom. I can't help but wonder whether Riedel's claim, that Saudi-Arabia will never open relations with Israel without first solving the Palestinian issue will stand the test of time.
November 15, 2018
A very readable account of one of the most important political relationships of the last 70 years. Every issue and event in the Middle East is affected by the positions of Saudi Arabia and its Western ally.
January 20, 2020
A very good overview of the history of relations with Saudi Arabia. It especially gets interesting once Bruce Riedel is part of the CIA and has more commentary on what is happening. Riedel is very blunt on subjects that it would have been easy to skip over and his candor is appreciated.
July 18, 2018
Really good book - Riedel manages to strike a healthy balance between narrative and analysis, and his level of detail is such that the text is informative yet not overbearing.
April 26, 2019
I live in Saudi Arabia and this book told me a great deal of the geopolitical role of the country. If you look at Riedel's bioghraphy you'll understand why.
February 11, 2020
Read for a class on Saudi Arabia. This is a well written political history of the country and its leaders, all the princes and kings. Women are more or less invisible, so if you’re looking for social history, this isn’t it. Each section follows SA under each US president starting with Roosevelt and ending with Trump. Is it the supply of oil? Stability in the region? Fear of the spread of terrorism? That drives the US involvement in the region. Iran vs SA vs Palestine vs Israel are all explored.
October 22, 2020
Read this if you want to learn the inside scoop of what was happening at the highest levels of government between US and Saudi Arabia.
May 12, 2018
Learned a lot about an important relationship with a country that hasn't been chronicled much in the West. Well-written, quick read.
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