U.S.-Saudi ties strained

The alleged killing of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul is straining
a decades-long relationship based on mutually dependent interests

OIL U.S. is far less dependent on Saudi oil than it once was, but as world’s largest crude
exporter, Saudi Arabia can still exert enormous influence over oil prices

Saudi threat to cut supply in retaliation for sanctions over Khashoggi affair would push up global prices, plunging U.S. economy into recession

President Donald Trump is counting on Saudi Arabia to release more oil on to market to squeeze Tehran after U.S. reimposes sanctions on Iranian oil sector on Nov 4

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS
Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner hopes to strike peace agreement between Israel and Palestinians, but securing Saudi backing is crucial

ARMS SALES
Saudi Arabia is biggest foreign recipient of U.S.-made weapons
Trump says he is “against” cancelling $110 billion order for U.S. arms signed in 2017 because it would affect American jobs. However, Riyadh has so far only followed through on $14.5bn in purchases

YEMEN-IRAN
U.S. military refuels jets for Saudi-led coalition airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and also engages in limited intelligence sharing

U.S. lawmakers are increasingly uneasy over civilian casualties in Yemen. Khashoggi case could accentuate calls in Congress to limit U.S. support for coalition

COUNTER-TERRORISM
U.S. regards Saudi cooperation on counter-terrorism as invaluable, as Saudis can exploit unrivalled network of tribal family connections to infiltrate militant strongholds

Exchange of information between Riyadh and Washington could suffer if U.S. takes measures over Khashoggi’s disappearance

KC-135 Stratotankers have carried out more than 2,800 refuelling operations over Horn of Africa since Saudi Arabia launched war in Yemen in 2015

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman


Istanbul
TURKEY
SYRIA
LEB. IRAQ
Riyadh
SAUDI ARABIA
Tehran
IRAN
QATAR 
UAE
OMAN
YEMEN
400km 250 miles

BU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs



© GRAPHIC NEWS
Sources: Reuters, BBC, NYT
Pictures: Newscom, Associated Press, U.S. Air Force