Our Saudi relationship

Listen 48:58
Six-year-old Prince Mashhur ibn Saud waves as he sits on the lap of his father, King Saud of Saudi Arabia, and beside President Eisenhower as they left National Airport, January 30, 1957.  The King and his official party will visit here three days for talks with the President.  (AP Photo)

Six-year-old Prince Mashhur ibn Saud waves as he sits on the lap of his father, King Saud of Saudi Arabia, and beside President Eisenhower as they left National Airport, January 30, 1957. The King and his official party will visit here three days for talks with the President. (AP Photo)

Guests: Anna Viden, David Fahrenthold

The likely murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has placed scrutiny on the U.S.’s ties to Saudi Arabia, as well as it’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also known as MbS. Today on the show, we’ll get a history of the long relationship between the two countries – from Saudi’s founding in the 1930s, to the oil crisis in 1973, to the first Gulf War, to 9/11, and now. ANNA VIDEN, program coordinator for the Middle East Center at The University of Pennsylvania joins us. Then, Washington Post reporter DAVID FAHRENTHOLD will join us to talk about President Trump’s business dealings, and potential conflicts-of-interest, with Saudi Arabia and the Royal Family.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal