There was outrage in Washington over Saudi Arabia’s decision to back Opec output cuts during a global energy crisis. What was the kingdom’s motive for putting its strategic partnership with the US at risk? As a regular visitor to Saudi Arabia, Emile Hokayem of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London offers his view of the Saudi leader’s calculations and plans for a new global role for the country.

Clips: France 24; CNN; Fox news

More on this topic:

The plight of expat workers at KPMG Saudi Arabia

Joe Biden’s limited room for manoeuvre on Saudi Arabia

The new oil war: Opec moves against the US

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Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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