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Saudi Arabia
Islam
Islam was a third factor that influenced Saudi foreign policy.
Solidarity with Muslim countries in Asia and Africa was an important
objective. Since the 1970s, countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan,
and Somalia have received special consideration in terms of foreign
aid because of religious affinity. Many Pakistani military personnel
were on secondment to the Saudi armed forces during the 1980s.
Islam was the principal motivation for Saudi Arabia's staunch
anticommunist position throughout the Cold War era. Riyadh opposed
the atheism that was the official policy of most communist regimes.
For example, it closed the Saudi legation in Moscow in 1938 and
declined to resume diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union. Following
the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, however,
Riyadh established relations with most of the fifteen separate
republics. As an ally of the United States, Saudi Arabia was a
de facto political foe of the Soviet Union and expended large
sums over the years in an effort to counteract Soviet influence
in the Middle East. In one instance, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia
actually became involved in a proxy war with the Soviets. Throughout
the 1980s, the Saudis supported the Pakistan-based Afghan resistance
groups whose guerrillas routinely crossed into Afghanistan to
fight against Soviet forces occupying parts of the country from
December 1979 until February 1989 in an effort to protect the
Marxist government in Kabul.
From an Islamic perspective, it was permissible to maintain diplomatic
relations with non-Muslim states that were not hostile to Islam.
Saudi relations with non-Arab and non-Muslim countries consisted
primarily of commercial ties to the countries of Western Europe,
Japan, and South Asia. All these countries were important customers
for Saudi oil. In addition, Saudi Arabia imported a wide range
of consumer goods from Japan, Germany, Britain, Italy, and France.
Countries such as India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and the Republic
of Korea (South Korea) also supplied thousands of foreign laborers
for the kingdom.
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Despite Saudi Arabia's significant strategic importance, few
scholars have had an opportunity to undertake research in the
country. Nevertheless, there are several studies that provide
valuable insights into the kingdom's political processes. Robert
Lacey's The Kingdom: Arabia and the House of Saud is
essential reading for an understanding of how the extensive Al
Saud operates as a political institution. Sandra Mackey's The
Saudis: Inside the Desert Kingdom, although written in a
less scholarly style, presents useful information about Saudi
politics. La péninsule arabique d'aujourd'hui edited
by Paul Bonnenfant contains several valuable articles dealing
with aspects of Saudi society. Summer Scott Huyette's Political
Adaptation in Saudi Arabia: A Study of the Council of Ministers
is an informative study of the development of government institutions.
(For further information and complete citations see Bibliography.)
Data as of December 1992
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