Saudi Arabia: The Fulcrum of U.S. National Security in Southwest Asia.
Abstract
American national security is directly linked with that of Southwest Asia. Our close military ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have been a key factor in guaranteeing our friends a means to protect their own security, contain threats posed by the Iran-Iraq War and Iranian extremism, guard against Soviet inroads, and cooperate with the United States to insure open international access to oil supplies. Current policies of glasnost and perestroika are making Soviet advances in the region more appealing to local governments. It becomes even more important therefore to reinforce, not alienate, our relations with our friends and allies. We have seen that the Saudis have been our friends since the inception of their Kingdom. They have supported us even at the cost of great embarrassment to themselves on occasion, and it is now vital to show our support for them. In so doing, we strengthen them, we cement our ability to project power in the region, and we insure free world access to energy resources; all of which are in our vital interests because they enhance our national security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA194380
Entities
People
- Stephen J. Anderson
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College