Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Leading members of Congress have warned against a shift by Saudi Arabia from the United States.

Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said U.S. national security could be harmed by a decline in relations with Riyad.

During a conference on Oct. 22, Rogers acknowledged Saudi discontent with Washington. The House chairman said Riyad must be urged to avoid a “major shift” away from the United States.

“The Saudis are frustrated … pulling away from American interests and publicly stating it,” Rogers, a Republican from Michigan, said.

Congressional aides said the warning came amid signs of a Saudi change
in policy toward the United States. They said Riyad was angered by U.S.
support for a reconciliation with a nuclear Iran as well as Washington’s
failure to help Sunni rebels in Syria.

Rogers urged the administration of President Barack Obama to enhance strategic cooperation with the Saudis.

“I think there would be serious negative consequences in the long run if Saudi Arabia walks down that path,” Rogers said.

“It [war in Syria] is a regional conflict,” Rogers said. “You have
regional concerns in the area. The number of foreign fighters exceeds the
number of foreign fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Another leading House member also acknowledged that Middle East allies
were concerned over a change in U.S. policy. Rep. Eliot Engel, the ranking
Democrat told the Foreign Policy Initiative conference that Saudi Arabia and
others were concerned over a shift in Washington.

“Some of the dissatisfaction that we’re seeing with our allies, Saudi
Arabia for instance, plays to the fact that Iran is there and is watching,”
Engel said. “People have to know we’re a dependable ally.”

  House Intelligence Committee, Iran reconciliation, Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. Mike Rogers, Saudis’ ‘major shift’ from U.S. called national security threat