The co-founder of CODEPINK has become famous for fearlessly tackling head-on subjects most of us studiously avoid. Sometimes, she does so in person—as during President Obama’s speech at the National Defense University, or during a reception for drone manufacturers and members of Congress, or in Cairo, where she was assaulted by police. Here, she’s researching the sinister nature of the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. In seven succinct chapters followed by a meditation on prospects for change, Benjamin—cited by the L.A. Times as “one of the high-profile members of the peace movement”—shines a light on one of the most perplexing elements of American foreign policy. What is the origin of this strange alliance between two countries that seemingly have very little in common? Why does it persist, and what are its consequences? Why, over a period of decades and across various presidential administrations, has the United States consistently supported a regime shown time and again to be one of the most powerful forces working against American interests? Saudi Arabia is perhaps the single most important source of funds for terrorists worldwide, promoting an extreme interpretation of Islam along with anti-Western sentiment, while brutally repressing non-violent dissidents at home.
With extremism spreading across the globe, a reduced U.S. need for Saudi oil, and a thawing of U.S. relations with Iran, the time is right for a re-evaluation of our close ties with the Saudi regime. Publication September 2016 • 240 pages
Book Orders
Individuals can purchase the book on the CODEPINK website. Groups/organizations interested in purchasing five copies or more can get a 50% discount—which makes the book only $9! Just email orders@orbooks.com or call (212) 514-6485 and let them know you want the want the “CODEPINK activist” price.
Bring Medea to speak in your area!
Medea will also be traveling around the country for the next nine months on a book tour and campaign to cut US weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and support Saudi dissidents. If you are interested in bringing Medea to your community, email Brienne at brienne@codepink.org!
It’s way past time to call into question the toxic US-Saudi relationship and build a movement that demands an end to US weapons sales to this repressive regime and supports the courageous Saudi dissidents who are trying to transform their nation. With extremism spreading across the globe, a reduced U.S. need for Saudi oil, and a thawing of U.S. relations with Iran, the time is right for such a movement.
Please read the book and help get it out to the public, and invite Medea to speak in your community!
Book Tour Schedule
If you have questions about any of the events or you want to bring Medea to your town contact brienne@codepink.org!
Coral Gables, Florida
Monday, November 6th, 7pm
Main Sanctuary of Coral Gables Congregational Church United Church of Christ
3010 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Free and open to the public
Book Reviews
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia: A Toxic Alliance?, The Leveller, October 10, 2016
Activist and author Medea Benjamin gives readers a vital primer to understand the history, controversies and possible future of the U.S.-Saudi relationship.
It's Time to End the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Special Relationship, Alternate, August 17, 2016
Obama is clearly irritated that foreign-policy orthodoxy compels him to treat Saudi Arabia as an ally.
Book review. Kingdom of the Unjust: the US-Saudi connection by Medea Benjamin, Ian Sinclair, September 2016
Having campaigned against the ‘war on terror’ and penned a book on drone warfare in 2012, American CODEPINK activist Medea Benjamin has turned her attention to the United States’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, one of its closest allies.
Medea Benjamin’s Kingdom of the Unjust, by DAVID SWANSON, August 17, 2016
For years and years, activists demanded that the U.S. government make public 28 (turned out to be 29) pages it had censored from a report, because it was suspected they would show a Saudi Arabian role in funding and facilitating the crimes of September 11, 2001.
In-Depth Interview: Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin Talks About Her New Book on Saudi Arabia, Peter Collins, September 29, 2016
Great Minds P2: Medea Benjamin Compares Saudi Labor System to Slavery, Sep. 1, 2016
Why Is the US Aligned With Saudi Arabia?
September 4, 2016, Truthout
Videos
Saudi Arabia
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