Since Husni, Abdullah’s willingness to listen to Obama had “evaporated”

"... Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia are in their worst state since the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but the Obama administration is trying to quietly manage the rupture. To that end, Mr. Gates and his aides spoke publicly before and after the meeting of the common ground between the two countries: The fear of an ascendant Iran and Washington’s recent $60 billion arms sale to Riyadh.....

 Gates & Abdallah in the 'Austerity Room'

Despite the arms sale, the United States and Saudi Arabia remain at odds not only over Saudi troops in Bahrain but also President Obama’s decision to support the protest movement in Egypt rather than its president, Hosni Mubarak. In the view of the angry Saudis, Mr. Obama abandoned the Egyptian leader. After Mr. Mubarak was out of the office, the Saudis cancelled planned visits to Riyadh by Mr. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying the king was not well. But both Pentagon and State Department officials were left wondering if the king was more upset than ill. A subsequent phone call from Mr. Obama to the king asking that Saudi troops not enter Bahrain did not go well. An Arab official later said that King Abdullah’s willingness to listen to the Obama administration had “evaporated” since Mr. Mubarak was ousted. ..... The two countries disagree fundamentally on Bahrain. The Saudis believe that a Shiite uprising next door might encourage a similar revolt among Saudi Arabia’s own Shiite minority population, which the Obama administration does not dispute. But the United States wants Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to adopt political reforms that might lead to a larger voice for Shiites under Sunni rule..."