Analysis: Saudis have few options as they push tougher foreign policy

By using Angus McDowall RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia seems to have few manageable options for pursuing a more impartial and forthright foreign coverage, despite its deep unease concerning the West's tentative rapprochement with Iran. Upset with the USA, senior Saudis have hinted at a spread of potentialities, from constructing strategic family members with other world powers to pushing a tougher line against Iranian allies in the Arab world and, if world powers fail to foil Tehran's nuclear ambitions, even looking for its own atomic bomb. Russia is on the opposite aspect to Riyadh over the Syrian conflict and China's defense force clout continues to be modest compared with america'. Robert Jordan, U.S. ambassador to Riyadh from 2001-03, stated there could be limits to any Saudi alliances with different powers.