3.6 - Should We Give Military Support To Saudi Arabia?

Question 1

Saudi Arabia (Indirect Military Intervention)

Answer 1

Founder of Arab League, Gulf Co-Operation
World League and large role in IMF
$1.5bn almost exclusively to Islamic countries
INtervened in Yemeni Civil War
GCC countries supported with hardware and troops
USA provide intelligence and logistics support
Britiain - Personnel in command and weapons supplied
Blockade had prevent military intervention in Yemen.

Question 2

Saudi Arabia Itself

Answer 2

Controlled by Sunnis, possibly explaining beef with Iran (Shia Country).
Relationship with US arguably just for convenience
Can be linked to war on terror which s causing humanitarian crisis

Question 3

Long-Term Geopolitical Relations

Answer 3

British protectorate
independance
UK nationalists, living in the UK
More than 200 joint ventures
Arms trade

Question 4

Short-Term Socio-Political Concerns

Answer 4

Saudi intervention in the Yemen - war cimes
Corruption - significant evidence of UK Gov/BAE paying Saudi Princes
Sauids are Sunnis against Iran
Saudi role in exreme islamic education
Blockade of Qatar - Who should Britian support