Iran and Saudi Arabia: US’ Provincial Politics in the Middle East

Since the turn of the century (and particularly after the US invasion of Iraq), the foreign relations approaches of Saudi Arabia and Iran have differed substantially. For both of these states, the US plays a key role. Because of its continued military dominance well into the 21st century as well as its interests in the key regional resource - oil, US foreign affairs in the Middle East often resemble relations between provincial governments and a central government. In this view, local rulers, seemingly absolute and sovereign, only assume the position of governor of a particular ‘province’.