The Impact of U.S. Public Opinion on U.S. Engagement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of public opinion on the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia, a 78-year ally. A limited number of studies exist on the effect of public opinion on their relationship as the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia do not share many values and have different political cultures and religions. Therefore, my study offers an insight into a dynamic that has seen little to no attention. The structure of the study also provides a perspective of the relationship of both Congress and the office of the Presidency to the Kingdom. The analysis provides further insight into the role of public attitudes, partisanship, elites, and the media may have on foreign policy decision-making. Ultimately, the study concludes that public opinion influences Congress’ legislature towards Saudi Arabia to some degree more so than the Office of the Presidency from 2001 to 2023. However, further examination of Congress and the President’s changing function and its receptivity to public opinion in the context of the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia would provide further information about the larger field of foreign policy decision-making.