Supersymmetric Flavor Models and the B --> phi K_S Anomaly

We consider the flavor structure of supersymmetric theories that can account for the deviation of the observed time-dependent CP asymmetry in B --> phi K_S from the standard model prediction. Assuming simple flavor symmetries and effective field theory, we investigate possible correlations between sizable supersymmetric contributions to b --> s transitions and to flavor changing processes that are more tightly constrained. With relatively few assumptions, we determine the properties of minimal Yukawa and soft mass textures that are compatible with the desired supersymmetric flavor-changing effect and constraints. We then present explicit models that are designed (at least approximately) to realize these textures. In particular, we present an Abelian model based on a single U(1) factor and a non-trivial extra-dimensional topography that can explain the CP asymmetry in B --> phi K_S, while suppressing other supersymmetric flavor changing effects through a high degree of squark-quark alignment.