Saudi leader’s phone call to Xi Jinping shows shifting global power balance

Nowadays, it is not uncommon for countries to be economically dependent on China but dependent on the United States for security. Saudi Arabia is an exception in that it relies more on the US than anyone else for both its economy and security. As a leading regional power, it has basically been key to US influence in the Middle East. Even before the Saudi leader’s call to Xi there have been signs the relationship with the US is being tested. They suggest that Riyadh may be frustrated with US policy in the Middle East and particularly over the war with…