Saudi Arabia and the U.S. : a balancing act / producer, Carmen Merrifield ; CBC News ; a production of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

New York, NY : Filmakers Library, 2002.

English

In English.

1 online resource (18 minutes)

001727

An overwhelming majority of the men responsible for hijacking planes on 9/11 were Saudis, yet historically the Saudis were our allies. What this film shows with indelible clarity is the deep rift within Saudi society between the extremely wealthy and corrupt royal family who are ostensibly our allies (and business partners) and the majority of people who live in poverty and resent the excesses of the monarchy. Saudi exiles living in London keep close contact with dissidents at home via the internet in the hopes of fomenting a revolution. One of them observes that having an American air base in Saudi Arabia following the Gulf War was 'a wake up call.' The close relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia dates back to 1945 when President Roosevelt, mindful of oil interests, forged ties. King Faud who buttressed the close Saudi-American friendship is now frail and cannot function as ruler anymore. Prince Abdullah who is anti-American is taking over. Wahhabism, a reactionary sect within the Islam religion gets support from the government. The House of Saud refused to join America's 'War on Terrrorism', nor would it close bank accounts held by Osama bin Laden. This is a grim but compelling report.

Title from resource description page (viewed May 25, 2017).

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