Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Honors Project

University Scholars Director

Dr. Jeff Keuss

First Advisor/Committee Member

Reed Davis

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Bradley Murg

Keywords

United States, foreign policy, Saudi Arabia, Middle East, neoclassical realism, critical juncture theory

Abstract

This research discusses the importance of the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia and how this relationship has influenced and shaped U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The relationship is framed by the international relations theory of neoclassical realism and the institutions theory of critical junctures. Through this framework, a historical and political case study is performed, analyzing the antithesis that the relationship has continued throughout history because of economic interests and oil. This paper discusses the alternative hypotheses and the other factors that have played an important role in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, and the factors that have played an important role in shaping the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Comments

A project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Scholars Program.

Copyright Status

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Additional Rights Information

Copyright held by author.

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