Obama defends Saudi relationship: 'Sometimes we have to balance'

January 28, 2015

President Barack Obama defended Tuesday the need to maintain a close alliance with Saudi Arabia, a strategic US ally with a poor human rights record, shortly before leaving India for a short visit to the Gulf Kingdom.

But even as the US works closely with the Saudis on common strategic goals like counterterrorism, Obama said he and his administration continue to apply "steady, consistent pressure" on issues like human rights. Obama is headed to Saudi Arabia to meet the new King Salman and pay his respects following the death of King Abdullah last week.