How does the United States handle relations with Saudi Arabia?

The United States and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing relationship, which has been characterized by mutual economic, political, and strategic interests. The two countries have been cooperating on issues ranging from oil production to counter-terrorism efforts for decades. However, the relationship has been somewhat strained in recent years due to a number of factors.

One major point of contention between the US and Saudi Arabia has been the issue of human rights. The US has been critical of Saudi Arabia's human rights record, particularly in the areas of freedom of speech, women's rights, and the treatment of dissidents. The US has also been critical of Saudi Arabia's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has resulted in widespread humanitarian suffering.

Another factor that has strained the relationship is the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The US has imposed sanctions on a number of Saudi officials in response to the murder, and relations between the two countries have been somewhat cool since then.

Despite these issues, the US and Saudi Arabia remain important allies. The two countries continue to cooperate on a number of strategic issues, including counter-terrorism efforts, military cooperation, and the maintenance of global oil supplies. However, the relationship is likely to remain somewhat strained in the near term as both countries grapple with these contentious issues.