After the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the prime minister is seeking to further establish and strengthen bilateral relationships with countries across the globe. One of these global partners is Saudi Arabia.
The UK-Saudi Arabian relationship is long-standing and heavily concentrated on security: a key pillar of the relationship is the controversial flow of arms from the UK to Saudi Arabia.
This event analyses the present and future relationship between both kingdoms. What objectives do both countries have when fostering this bilateral relationship and have these objectives been met? Has the close security relationship given the UK leverage over Saudi foreign policy decisions? And what are the potential risks and benefits to the UK if the partnership continues?
Participants
Professor Madawi Al-Rasheed, Visiting Professor, Middle East Centre, LSE
Armida van Rij, Researcher, Security and Defence Policy, The Policy Institute at King’s College London
Dr Mai Yamani, Independent Scholar and Author
Chair: Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 News
