The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has always been a marriage of convenience, not affection. In a bargain cemented by President Roosevelt and Saudi Arabia's founding king in 1945, Americans gained access to Saudi oil, and the Saudis responded with purchases of American planes, weapons, construction projects and know-how that brought them modernization, education, and security. The marriage has suited both sides. But how long can it last?In Inside the Mirage , journalist and Middle East expert Thomas W. Lippman shows that behind the cheerful picture of friendship and alliance, there is a darker tale. With so much at stake, this compelling account looks at the relationship between these two countries, and their future with one another.