U.S. and Saudi Arabia, trapped in a bad marriage

By Aaron David Miller

Updated 1947 GMT (0347 HKT) April 21, 2016

From left, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande sit together at Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover, Germany, on Monday, April 25. Germany was the third stop on Obama's recent trip, which also included the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
From left, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande sit together at Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover, Germany, on Monday, April 25. Germany was the third stop on Obama's recent trip, which also included the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
Hide Caption
1 of 19
Obama and Merkel look at a robotic device April 25 as they tour the Hannover Messe, the world's largest trade fair for industrial technology.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama and Merkel look at a robotic device April 25 as they tour the Hannover Messe, the world's largest trade fair for industrial technology.
Hide Caption
2 of 19
Obama tests virtual reality goggles at the Hannover Messe on April 25.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama tests virtual reality goggles at the Hannover Messe on April 25.
Hide Caption
3 of 19
Obama and Merkel look at a gripping device at the Hannover Messe on April 25.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama and Merkel look at a gripping device at the Hannover Messe on April 25.
Hide Caption
4 of 19
From left, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Obama and Merkel attend the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe on Sunday, April 24.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
From left, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Obama and Merkel attend the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe on Sunday, April 24.
Hide Caption
5 of 19
Obama and Merkel hold a news conference after bilateral talks at Herrenhausen Palace on April 24.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama and Merkel hold a news conference after bilateral talks at Herrenhausen Palace on April 24.
Hide Caption
6 of 19
Merkel welcomes Obama at Herrenhausen Palace on April 24.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Merkel welcomes Obama at Herrenhausen Palace on April 24.
Hide Caption
7 of 19
Obama speaks at a news conference in London on Saturday, April 23.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama speaks at a news conference in London on Saturday, April 23.
Hide Caption
8 of 19
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Obama play golf at the Grove Golf Club on April 23.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Obama play golf at the Grove Golf Club on April 23.
Hide Caption
9 of 19
Obama takes a brief tour of the Globe Theatre in London with Patrick Spottiswoode, director of Globe Education, marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare on April 23.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama takes a brief tour of the Globe Theatre in London with Patrick Spottiswoode, director of Globe Education, marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare on April 23.
Hide Caption
10 of 19
Obama, Prince William and first lady Michelle Obama talk with Prince George at Kensington Palace on Friday, April 22.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama, Prince William and first lady Michelle Obama talk with Prince George at Kensington Palace on Friday, April 22.
Hide Caption
11 of 19
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, greet Obama outside Windsor Castle on Friday, April 22.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, greet Obama outside Windsor Castle on Friday, April 22.
Hide Caption
12 of 19
A motorcade drives the Obamas to Windsor Castle for lunch with Queen Elizabeth II on April 22.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
A motorcade drives the Obamas to Windsor Castle for lunch with Queen Elizabeth II on April 22.
Hide Caption
13 of 19
Obama arrives at Downing Street to meet with Cameron on April 22. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/politics/barack-obama-david-cameron-press-conference/index.html">The American leader is urging British voters to reject the chance to leave the European Union</a> in a national referendum scheduled for June.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Obama arrives at Downing Street to meet with Cameron on April 22. The American leader is urging British voters to reject the chance to leave the European Union in a national referendum scheduled for June.
Hide Caption
14 of 19
Before Britain, Obama met with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad Mahmoud Al Said, left, and Saudi King Salman at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, which took place Thursday, April 21, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Obama spoke with Gulf leaders about regional conflicts, the role of Iran and the fight against ISIS.
Photos: Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
Before Britain, Obama met with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad Mahmoud Al Said, left, and Saudi King Salman at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, which took place Thursday, April 21, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Obama spoke with Gulf leaders about regional conflicts, the role of Iran and the fight against ISIS.
Hide Caption
15 of 19