The United States policy toward Iran and Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This thesis will try to understand what the differences in policy between the United States is with Saudi Arabia and Iran and how the policies influence the relationship. Another aspect of the paper is how the United States' supports Saudi Arabia over Iran. The United States economic policy is more supportive of Saudi Arabia than it is of Iran. The military policy is also more favorable toward Saudi Arabia than Iran. The last forty years changed the United States' interests in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Even though both countries have been affected by terrorism, the United States supports Saudi Arabia. The sections discussed through this thesis will be a brief overview of the history of the countries examined. After the history, the economic policy of the United States will be discussed. The United States military and defense policy will be explained as well. The paper will conclude with how both countries are affected by extremist terrorism.