Once a transactional alliance, the GCC-US relationship has turned into one of the most powerful partnerships shaping the modern world. In this episode, we trace the history of this relationship, from early oil deals and wartime diplomacy to military bases and global investments.

Covered in this episode:
– 1933: Saudi Arabia signs oil concession with Standard Oil
– 1945: FDR & King Abdulaziz meet aboard USS Quincy
– 1973: Arab oil embargo shifts global power
– 1990s-2000s: US military bases expand in the Gulf
– 2010s-2020s: PIF, Mubadala, QIA go global
– Now: GCC shapes AI, data, and tech markets

Key takeaway: The GCC–US relationship has evolved from oil-for-security to co-authorship of global economic power.

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Episode produced by Miret Padovani. Music licensed via Artlist: “Mau Mau – instrumental version,” La Nata. Connect on LinkedIn