How the US and Saudis Can Get Past Latest OPEC+ Dispute
Washington feels betrayed. Riyadh doesn’t understand why. A resetting of the Carter doctrine could restore trust between them.
The sudden crisis in US-Saudi relations is one of the worst — yet most unnecessary — in a partnership that has lasted almost 80 years. While it’s understandable that Americans are outraged at a decision by the Saudi-led OPEC+ group to cut petroleum production and bolster prices, both sides have failed to understand each other's perspectives.
Viewing the production cut through the prism of the Ukraine war — Russia is part of the OPEC+ coalition — Washington feels betrayed. President Joe Biden’s administration believed that it had assurances Saudi Arabia would not raise prices, especially with Europe facing a cold winter and a lack of Russian natural gas. Washington, along with the United Arab Emirates, unsuccessfully urged the Saudis not to take this step.