Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
So U.S. support for Saudi Arabia has historically been about access to oil, and more recently as a foil to Iran. Today, the U.S. is close to energy self-sufficiency. And frankly, if I had to pick the lesser of two evils, it would be Iran (which is some respects, is one of the more socially-advanced countries in the region). As a geopolitical play, ditching Saudi and making up with Iran has a lot to recommend it. I suppose the biggest barrier is the U.S. relationship with Israel.
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I don't see why the US would find Iran preferable to Saudi Arabia. Iran has their own army of militant fundamentalist groups, most notably Hezbollah and the Houthis. Both governments essentially have the same goal, to become the dominant political/religious force in the region. The only difference between the two is that one is #####e and the other Sunni.
Ideally, between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the US needs to keep both sides in a stand off. As soon as one side sees they have the clear advantage, that's when things really go down. Things go from a state of small proxy wars to a full on religious armageddon, a war 1400 years in the making.
As far as the US's relationship with Iran, it's a two way street. How do the Ayatollahs, whose entire power base is based on propaganda, now turn around and say the "Great Satan" really isn't all that bad.