On Sunday, February 16, 2025, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) and Alfaisal University held a lecture by Dr. Bernard Haykel on the historical and contemporary relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States, attended by a distinguished group of academics, researchers, and students. 

The lecture covered several topics, including the role of oil in bilateral relations, the impact of the Cold War, economic and educational ties, as well as challenges such as the 1973 oil crisis and the 9/11 attacks. Dr. Bernard Haykel emphasized that Saudi Arabia plays a vital role in international affairs, such as mediating an end to the war in Ukraine and cooperating in technology and artificial intelligence. He reaffirmed the strategic partnership with the U.S. despite geopolitical shifts.