International Conflicts Because of the Saudi Oil
The Al Saud family accumulated power because of their possession of the oil, which led to international conflicts.
The Royal Family's Global Power
The oil in Saudi Arabia gave the Saudi royal family global power and influence.
Construction of Dhahran Air Base
US Army Corps. of Engineers
- US needed oil for WW2
- US built Saudi Arabia's Dhahran Air Base and provided military training in return for the secure export of oil
"[Saudi Arabia's] status as one of the world’s largest oil exporters has encouraged both economic interdependence and military alliances with the west.” (Kaunain Rahman)
American Sticker During Arab Oil Embargo
Richard F. Brush Art Gallery
During Yom Kippur War in 1973, US supported Israel
OPEC placed an embargo on oil against Israel's allies (Arab Oil Embargo)
America suffered recession
Unemployment doubled
GDP fell 6% from 1973-1975
Saudi Arabia directly influenced US Economy through oil
The Resulting International Conflicts
International conflicts have started due to the power oil gave the Saudi royal family.
Egypt (Gamal Abdel Nasser) invaded Yemen to try to gain access to the oil riches in Saudi Arabia, was unsuccessful
On August 2nd, 1992, Saddam Hussein (Iraq) invaded Kuwait and moved troops to Saudi Arabian border in hopes of getting access to oil (Gulf War)
"They produce a lot of oil in Kuwait and they also have access to the Gulf of Arabia... that's why Saddam Hussein wanted Kuwait." (Patrick Goyer, Gulf War veteran)
Kuwait Oil Well Being Repaired During Gulf War
Sebastião Salgado