But, but, we used to be pals, bro!

When Obama asked his good political pal, Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull what he thought of the fact that Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf states were trying to export a more stringent form of Islam to other parts of the world (like Indonesia), the Oz guy responded with a question: "But, but, I thought those guys used to be your pals?" Obama hesitated for a moment and said, "Oh well. It's complicated".

Don't worry, that's just a joke published at The Atlantic. But still, it tells a whole story of America's relations with the Saudis - specifically, the change that has occurred there. The quiet mutual understanding that used to be taken for granted between the US and KSA for decades now seems to have given way to distrust and reservations.

It all began with 9-11 of course...