The Saudis have been good friends. In a lot of ways. For one thing, they've purchased billions and billions of dollars of American arms, helping with the balance of payments, helping keep the American armament industry healthy.

It would seem to be a shame to destabilize them. I doubt that then next regime would be nearly as friendly.

Would the US find it more difficult to execute it's policies with a hostile Saudi Arabia? Would it find it harder to be influential in the area?

I don't know, those are really just questions. And, something in me says the US could have a real problem over there with the Saudis gone the way of Iran and Iraq.

Arf