People don’t care about our relations with Saudi Arabia. But they should care about our reputation, as we’re already blamed for regime change around the world.

Obviously, the people aren’t interested in the ramifications of breaking down relations with Saudi Arabia. The popularity of Libertarian candidates is in part rooted in the party’s express interest in keeping to ourselves. They don’t want us to participate and incite regime change. But it is sometimes, in the immediate sense, what’s better for us.

Unfortunately, most examples as of late present a breakdown between theory and reality. These changes do not win the hearts and minds of people and create some measure of predictability. Now, whether or not we had a role regime change is blamed or suspected to be carried out by the west. It’s only our discipline in security and compartmentalized classification apparatus that both keeps involvement secret and is unable to debunk rumors with authority.

According to Pew research, our image is a positive one. But, whether or not you want to send a loud and resounding message to the Saudis, it might begin a slight downtick. We, as a people, must pay better attention to other people. Namely, the rest of the world. How much does your fellow American know about a foreign country? Better yet, how many average Americans are aware of their state government leadership and how it’s organized? Who is on your school board? What can you do to improve your community?

Interestingly, according to Gallup, the more Americans know about Congress, the less they like it. Americans have never been comfortable with Arabs, and we’re still prosecuting 9/11. The level of negative popular opinion toward Iran is no surprise, either. In turn, sanctions are voted in Congress, and proposals for executive actions come out because of Congress all the time.

We will most likely need the cooperation and support of the Saudis in the future fight on terror. Although many suspect they are the force behind the fight, it’s probably not wittingly. But instead, a symptom of extreme rhetoric to keep its people in line, because the economic disparity in the Kingdom is severe and, they’re less likely to rise in protest if they’re focused on religious piety. Their religious undertones and seriousness maintain a kind of peace. It’s the bulwark of the Kingdom.

We shouldn’t be legislating in ways that might permanently hurt our foreign policy. The opinions of our citizens and political leaders are welcome and ought to inform our executive branch. But, it’s not the job of the Legislature to dip into an international relationship with bills that have legal ramifications for our partners.

It also makes us vulnerable to the array of past secret programs that influenced events around the world. So many blame us for so much. We could suffer a similar movement from other nations. There again, while the bill was passed with regret. We’ve been prepared to distance ourselves with the Saudis for some time. Public opinion and suspicion towards the Saudis and outrage over assumed Human Rights violations have increased as Americans have paid more attention to Saudi Arabia.

Also, we’re under suspicion of having engaged and actively planned regime change around the world. Intelligence services and military coups are often blamed on “bogeymen.” We enjoy a positive image partially because a majority of our partners are also our benefactors. We have programs, leaders, and money flowing into foreign nations with the intent to help. I don’t think the legislation will impact that. But it’s not a good start.

Featured image courtesy of mebriefing.com.