ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the essential security dilemma faced by the Saudis, explaining why the regime must rely on outside power protectors when faced with a direct threat from larger regional neighbors, despite the problems such a choice poses. It reviews the history of the US-Saudi security relationship, highlighting the tensions Riyadh has experienced in trying to maintain its defense links to Washington while asserting, for domestic and regional audiences, its independence from the United States. For the Saudis, a US presence "over the horizon", close enough to come to the kingdom's aid but far away enough to avoid the political problems associated with the US connection, was the ideal situation. The permanence of the tension was underlined by the fallout for US-Saudi relations from the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. Even after the experience of the Gulf War, the dilemma that characterizes Saudi relations with the United States remains.
