What do experts think of Saudi Arabia's growing influence?
Only twenty-three percent thought Saudi Arabia would be able to contain Iranian influence in the region. As one expert told the Atlantic:
“Remember, the great advantage the Saudis have (beyond money) in the region is that they are Arabs the Iranians are Persians. This alone limits the power the Iranians have over the entire region and is a tremendous demographic asset for the Saudis.”
But only sixteen percent thought Saudi involvement would increase sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias and five percent thought that Saudi Arabia's growing role could actually heighten the possibility of a conventional war between Iran and the Sunni Arab states.
Only two percent thought the Saudis could contain Iran's influence in Iraq.
Sixty-nine percent thought that Saudi Arabia would remain "friendly enough" to U.S. interests over the next five years.
Many seemed to indicate that King Abdullah was an important factor in the good relations.
As one expert reportedly said: "Saudi Arabia under King Abdullah is a very responsible and important nation. They remain better friends to the United States than we deserve.”
Another expert had this to say:
“Riyadh has no illusions about what Iran's ascendancy means for the region--or why it [needs] the United States as an ally. So the House of Saud won't venture too far from Washington's side.”Another suggested that any good will on either side is only the result of each countries' oil dependence:
“Saudi Arabia is good on oil and bad on virtually everything else. As long as we're so addicted to that oil, it—and, sadly, we—are friendly enough.”
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