Islamic State Brings Saudi-U.S. Ties Into Line After Discord
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Saudi and U.S. leaders have been speaking in harmony about the threat posed by Islamic State, after a period in which the allies of 70 years frequently sounded discordant notes.
The breakaway al-Qaeda group’s rampage through northern Iraq and eastern Syria has persuaded the U.S. to launch air strikes and seek Arab support for a broader campaign. Saudi Arabia hosted a coalition-building summit last week for Secretary of State John Kerry and 10 Middle Eastern states. After that session, and more than two hours of talks with King Abdullah, Kerry told reporters that “you could not have heard a more fulsome commitment to doing anything that is necessary.”