Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former Saudi head of intelligence, has warned the US that his country would no longer be able to cooperate with Washington if it uses its veto against a Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations.

In a New York Times article this week, Prince Turki wrote that the 'special relationship' between Saudi Arabia and the US would increasingly be seen as toxic by the vast majority of Arabs and Muslims.

Can Riyadh really afford to distance itself from Washington? And is the US willing to risk damaging its image in the Arab world?

Inside Story, with presenter Laura Kyle, discusses with guests: P.J. Crowley, a former US state department spokesperson; Jemal Khashoggi from Al Arab News channel; and Salman Sheikh, the director of the Brookings Doha Centre.