The Relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States (2017–2023): An Analysis of the Media Coverage in the U.S. Media Outlets

Abstract

This study explores the framing of the Saudi-U.S. relationship by three major U.S. newspapers—USA Today, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal—from January 2017 to December 2023. By employing qualitative content analysis, the study investigates how these newspapers framed the personal portrayal of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the nature of agreement/disagreement between the two countries on fundamental or minor issues, and the attitudes of President Trump and Biden toward Saudi Arabia.

The findings reveal various framing approaches to the crown prince, with significant emphasis on the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The analysis also highlights noteworthy disagreements between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on human rights, the Yemen conflict, and oil production while noting areas of strategic agreement, particularly in security cooperation against Iranian influence. President Trump's attitude was framed as highly supportive, prioritizing economic and strategic interests, whereas President Biden's approach was more critical, emphasizing human rights while maintaining traditional foreign policy. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on framing theory by providing a nuanced analysis of media framing in the context of international relations. The implications highlight the role of the media's influence on international relations, suggesting that political public relations practitioners should analyze and deal with complex media framing. Future research should extend beyond the traditional media, such as newspapers, to shed light and consider social media's impact on understanding the framing in the context of international relations.