For those out of the loop on Saudis: During WW1 they made a deal with the British to revolt against the Ottoman empire and in exchange they received massive weapon support and lot of land spoils (including Palestine which the Brits gave to Israel instead). This is what Lawrence of Arabia is known for.
The Saudi rulers been good obedient slaves of the Brits (and now the USA) since. (except king Faisal who nationalized the oil and was promptly assassinated by his Westernized cousin in 1975.)
It is my understanding that even Saudi Arabia doesn't exactly stand with Saudi Arabia.
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