Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia
After World War II and during the Cold War, Saudi Arabia adopted an anti-Communist and anti-secular Arab-nationalist stance. This approach was largely aligned with the United States, which was the foremost anti-communist power at the time. The pivotal moment for the Kingdom occurred during the 1973 oil crisis when Saudi Arabia and other Arab oil exporters imposed an embargo against nations that supported Israel. This drastic move led to a massive increase in oil revenues, which Saudi Arabia utilized to elevate its status as the leading Islamic state. Significant funding was directed towards promoting Islam, especially the conservative Wahhabi interpretation. Advocates argue that this initiative helped to unify and purify the Islamic faith, while critics contend that it undermined and replaced regional Islamic traditions. The impact of Saudi aid in fostering Wahhabism can be observed in diverse regions, including Indonesia and the Maldives, where local, more moderate Islamic practices have come under pressure....