The U.S. and Saudi Arabia “are ready to let bygones be bygones” as the two nations seek to coordinate in their efforts to fight the Islamic State, but “much will depend on the Obama administration’s ability to articulate a clear long-term strategy for the Middle East — and specifically for the two countries where ISIS rose to prominence,” Fahad Nazer writes today in an analysis of the recent regional developments in the magazine Foreign Affairs.
"The potential convergence between the United States and Saudi Arabia when it comes to Syria is much more significant and could hold the key to stronger bilateral relations going forward....In the Middle East, there is still some ambiguity about Obama’s intentions. Although he was unequivocal about his determination to destroy ISIS during his address to the U.S. public last week, his tone changed significantly when he spoke about pursuing a “political solution” for Syria."
