GLOBAL CONNECTIONS: the Near/Middle East
November 1973: Saudi Arabia leads an oil boycott against the U.S. and other Western countries.

A supporter of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War against Israel, Saudi Arabia still harbors resentment when the Yom Kippur War (October War) erupts. In retaliation for U.S. support of Israel, Saudi Arabia participates in a 1973 Arab oil boycott of the U.S. and other Western nations. The price of oil quadruples, dramatically increasing Saudi Arabia's wealth and political influence.

PBS Saudi Arabia Overview
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights /lo/countries/sa/sa_overview.html

This country report summarizes the economic development of Saudi Arabia from 1910 to the present and can be explored by category and by year.
PBS Over a Barrel
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east /september96/iraq_oil_9-5a.html

An interdependent world economy means the Iraqi conflict could directly, and indirectly, hurt us.