The Oil Kings

The Oil Kings explores the pivotal role of oil in shaping U.S. domestic and international politics during the 1970s, amid a recession and the threat of a global financial crisis. As the U.S. economy struggled with skyrocketing oil prices due to an Arab oil embargo, President Gerald Ford sought alternative sources by striking a controversial deal with Saudi Arabia, which had lasting ramifications for U.S.-Middle East relations. Drawing on newly declassified documents and interviews, author Andrew Scott Cooper reveals the intricate maneuvers of key figures like Nixon, Ford, Kissinger, and the royal families of Iran and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the profound and enduring impacts of their decisions.