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When United States was attacked on September 11, 2001 by 19 people, including 15 Saudis, Saudi Arabia He intensified his lobby to preserve his relations with Washington.
After investing more than 100 million US dollars to influence United States , the oil kingdom is facing an unexpected crisis of influence: US lawmakers who once rubbed shoulders with Saudi princes and institutions that accept money from Riyadh seek to distance themselves.
The assassination of Saudi journalist in exile Jamal at the Riyadh consulate in Istanbul Khashoggi , who attended circles of influential figures in Washington, provoked outrage with Saudi Arabia that he had not seen for years.
Several lawmakers have proposed actions until then unthinkable, such as suspending the sale of weapons to the kingdom, the main buyer in the United States, and expel his ambassador, but it seems unlikely that the case has significant repercussions, as President Donald Trump asked to maintain ties with the country.
The Saudis trusted their lobbying power in Washington. In March, the Senate narrowly rejected the proposal to end US support for the Saudi-led campaign against rebels in Yemen, which, according to the United Nations, killed thousands of civilians.
Shortly after, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who defined himself as a 33-year-old reformer, visited the United States with a triumphant aura and met with important personalities, from Trump to Oprah Winfrey.
"Many Americans do not know much about Saudi Arabia.This is not an excellent travel destination for many reasons and it was easy for PR companies to assume this role "said Ben Freeman, director of the Foreign Influence Transparency Initiative of the Center for International Policy. .
But "Jamal Khashoggi lived here and I think a lot of journalists took it personally because one of theirs was attacked," he said.
Checkbook in hand
Although the values of the Muslim state are far removed from most Americans, Saudi Arabia has penetrated Washington by supporting several think tanks with its checkbook, courting journalists and hiring lawmakers ready to win money as lobbyists.
Saudi Arabia spent more than $ 18 million last year and $ 6 million so far in 2018 to influence Washington through its government or partners, according to the government. Responsible Policy Center, which publishes this data. .
According to Ministry of Justice authorization requests, former Republican Senator of Minnesota, Norm Coleman, has signed an agreement of $ 125,000 per month to represent the Saudi Embassy. . Ex-representative Buck McKeon, who until 2015 presided over the Armed Forces Committee of the Lower House, and whose company receives a payment of $ 50,000 per month from Riyadh. None responded to requests for comments.
CNN correspondent in Washington, Jake Tapper, one of the most recognized television journalists in the United States, said on Twitter that the Saudi embassy had contacted him after his football team , the Philadelphia Eagles which he was a fan of, he's qualified for the Super Bowl and offered to take him by plane to attend the match as a guest. Tapper refused. "But I asked myself: who said yes?" He said.
Since the disappearance of Khashoggi, at least four lobbyists have declared that they would no longer represent Saudi Arabia. Among those who ended their relationship, there is the lawyer Theodore Olson, who represented George W. Bush in the past before the Supreme Court and whose signature would have cost at least 250 000 USD.
Washington's analytical centers have quietly left Saudi Arabia. The Middle East Institute, which has long been associated with Riyadh, expressed its "shock and indignation" following the death of Khashoggi, who was a frequent participant in his meetings, and broke his ties.
The prestigious Brookings Institution finalized a contract with the kingdom, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies, also weighted, said it was reviewing its relationship.
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