View Full Version : Can the Saudis be trusted in the war on terror?
Kyobanim
06-21-2004, 18:19
Saw this on the CNN site and I think the question has merit.
Disscuss?
The Reaper
06-21-2004, 18:26
The Saudi Government, the populace, or the Wahabbi Imams?
Trusted to do what? Support us, act in their own self-interest, take actions against the internal terrorists, what?
TR
Roguish Lawyer
06-21-2004, 18:50
Originally posted by The Reaper
The Saudi Government, the populace, or the Wahabbi Imams?
Trusted to do what? Support us, act in their own self-interest, take actions against the internal terrorists, what?
TR
What are you, a lawyer or something? :D
Sacamuelas
06-21-2004, 18:53
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
What are you, a lawyer or something? :D
Damn... you callin' TR a lawyer and Solid calling me a wannabe michael moore in the same day! :eek:
Someone better wake up 140 virgins... because there is about to be a WHOLE LOT of martyr makin' tonight!! LOL haha
Peregrino
06-21-2004, 19:10
The Saudi Government, the populace, or the Wahabbi Imams?
Trusted to do what? Support us, act in their own self-interest, take actions against the internal terrorists, what?
TR
TR - Good attempt to clarify the discussion. I'm coming down on the side of the Nay-Sayers. I'm pretty sure we can't trust any of the above to do any more than act in their own short-term self interest. Most reliable analysis I've read leads me to believe that the Saudi Royal Family is within a few years of being overthrown. Their "devil's deal" with the Wahabbi's is going to bite them hard and the average Saudi subject (no I didn't say citizen) isn't enchanted with them either. I don't think they can do any more than they are doing and I would expect that as dissident elements gain ascendancy in the Kingdom's internal affairs (inevitable) they will become less likely to pursue the GWOT with any enthusiasm. BTW - Did you see the piece on CBS this evening where they reported "rumors" that Saudi security forces sympathetic to the terrorists contributed material aid (uniforms, vehicles, etc.) to the group that kidnapped and killed the contractor? Something about having taken him at an "official appearing" roadblock. Vehement denials from the Saudi information people but it sounds plausible. YIS - Peregrino
The Reaper
06-21-2004, 19:19
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
What are you, a lawyer or something? :D
You know, I CAN find out where you live, if I need to.
TR
Roguish Lawyer
06-21-2004, 19:21
Originally posted by The Reaper
You know, I CAN find out where you live, if I need to.
TR
LMAO
I'll have the bourbon and beer ready for you when you arrive, Samoan counselor.
The Reaper
06-21-2004, 19:36
Peregrino:
Here is what I have gathered:
Saudis officials may have supported the kidnapping of Paul Johnson. Possible.
Paul Johnson may have been killed. Very probable.
The Saudi security forces engaged and killed some group. Probable.
The dead may have included Abdulaziz al-Moqrin. Probable.
Abdulaziz al-Moqrin was responsible for the alleged killing of Johnson. Possible.
Osama Bin Ladin may have ratted out Abdulaziz al-Moqrin due to internal disputes. Unlikely, but possible.
The Saudi populace really does not mind the killings, as long as they are not Saudis or Moslems being killed. Probable.
Al Queda has significant support (public opinion, material, personnel, financial, media) within Saudi Arabia and the region. Definitely.
Saudis rulers are feeling heat from all sides now and will say whatever is convenient to maintain their positions. Definitely.
At least the royal family haven't publicly blamed this one on the Zionists, like they did the 9/11 attacks, the Khobar attacks, and every other piece of misfortune in the last 20 years.
Hey, is it just me, or is Saudi adviser/spokesman Adel al-Jubeir starting to act and sound like Iraqi Information Minister Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf? "Who do you belief? Me, or your lying infidel eyes?"
TR
Peregrino
06-21-2004, 20:23
TR - Those lying infidel eyes will get you in trouble every time! I have to agree with the probability analysis both for method and conclusions. All things considered it sums everything up pretty well. The balance of the evidence does not favor Saudi stability nor the furtherance of American goals in the region. Too bad the expedient solution is rarely the most effective over the long term. (Would it be too far out of line, unprofessional of me, if I were to entertain myself with fantasies of an act of supreme violence executed at the height of the Hadj?) My question - If we can send hydrogen fuel cells to the moon, why do the Arabs still have us hostage to their oil, "over a barrel" so to speak. Rhetorical question - no response required! As long as oil is a strategic necessity we will continue to be enmeshed in the morass. YIS - Peregrino
The Reaper
06-21-2004, 21:00
Originally posted by Peregrino
(Would it be too far out of line, unprofessional of me, if I were to entertain myself with fantasies of an act of supreme violence executed at the height of the Hadj?)
YIS - Peregrino
Well, now, how would the senseless killing of several thousand innocent people in a horrible fashion by misguided individuals (acting without governmental sanction, but primarily from a single country) attacking an international symbol of the offending nation differ from what happened on 9/11?
TR
Ambush Master
06-21-2004, 21:37
Hmmmmm..... So far you have:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by The Reaper
You know, I CAN find out where you live, if I need to.
TR
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LMAO
I'll have the bourbon and beer ready for you when you arrive, Samoan counselor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And me Lurking in the Shadows !!
As I have told folks before: Be very careful if you wake up in MY JUNGLE !!:munchin
Peregrino
06-21-2004, 21:46
TR - I stand appropriately chastized for my impure/unworthy thoughts :o - But really! and this is the exciting part - you're not thinking big enough. Put retribution on a Biblical scale (you have to be a little "Old Testament" here). At the height of the Hadj there's MILLIONS of them. (Maybe a little hyperbole there - but not much.) And since they're the "silent supporters" in whose name this was all started? What do they teach in COIN 101 about seperating the fish from the sea? D**n unworthy thoughts sneaking in there again. Oh Well:rolleyes:!! Good Night All
Ambush Master
06-21-2004, 21:51
Originally posted by Peregrino
TR - I stand appropriately chastized for my impure/unworthy thoughts :o - But really! and this is the exciting part - you're not thinking big enough. Put retribution on a Biblical scale (you have to be a little "Old Testament" here). At the height of the Hadj there's MILLIONS of them. (Maybe a little hyperbole there - but not much.) And since they're the "silent supporters" in whose name this was all started? What do they teach in COIN 101 about seperating the fish from the sea? D**n unworthy thoughts sneaking in there again. Oh Well:rolleyes:!! Good Night All
Good Point !!
Either they Police their own, or we Police THEM ALL as EQUALS !!!
colt1911fan
06-21-2004, 23:16
I was kind of thinking myself along those lines, overall my plans would be quite similar to what I would have proposed after 9-11. I could come up with a plan that when executed would pretty much keep them out of our hair for centuries. Problem is, we would end up doing much worse things than they have.
One thing we do need to consider is going after families of these guys as retribution. Not saying we should do it, but if we are talking methods that might make them reconsider it should stay on the table. But after seing those pictures from the link TR posted I do feel a touch angry so right now I would probably not be the best voice of moderation.
One one message board, maybe glocktalk, maybe sigforum I saw a proposal that we issue a statement that if they commit one more act of terror against us that we nuke Mecca and Medina. I think that is wholly rediculous as I do know there are good moslems out there(in fact the only one I really know well is very much like an uncle to me), but I can certainly understand the feeling behind that proposal.
What we really need to do in my book is foster those moderate elements of the Saudi populace in order to build a better regime there. I do agree the situation for the current regime is growing more intense. We need to build up something in their "middle class"(whatever there is over there) in order to conteract the extremists. How we do that without making them seem like our tools I do not know. This is probably about the only real constructive thought I am adding to the discussion. The other is basically my emotions speaking.
ghuinness
06-22-2004, 10:55
Originally posted by The Reaper
At least the royal family haven't publicly blamed this one on the Zionists, like they did the 9/11 attacks, the Khobar attacks, and every other piece of misfortune in the last 20 years.
TR
Looks like they are:
http://www.truthnews.net/month/2004060101.htm
"But Crown Prince Abdullah, the de facto ruler of the country, was still reaching for dark conspiracy theories on Saturday, blaming Israel and Zionism for the ritual execution.
Speaking to Saudi television, he said, "Zionism is behind it. It has become clear now. It has become clear to us. I don't say, I mean... It is not 100 percent, but 95 percent that the Zionist hands are behind what happened."
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef concurred, saying that, "Al-Qaida is backed by Israel and Zionism." ..."
The Reaper
06-22-2004, 11:58
Your Royal Highness, STEP AWAY FROM THE CRACK PIPE!!
Denial. It's not just a river.
With every stupid statement like that, they lose more and more credibility.
TR
Originally posted by ghuinness
Looks like they are:
http://www.truthnews.net/month/2004060101.htm
"But Crown Prince Abdullah, the de facto ruler of the country, was still reaching for dark conspiracy theories on Saturday, blaming Israel and Zionism for the ritual execution.
Speaking to Saudi television, he said, "Zionism is behind it. It has become clear now. It has become clear to us. I don't say, I mean... It is not 100 percent, but 95 percent that the Zionist hands are behind what happened."
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef concurred, saying that, "Al-Qaida is backed by Israel and Zionism." ..."
I am incredibly disgusted, but not surprised. Heaven forbid they take responsibility for turning their heads and funding terrorists. Makes me ill.
I hope they DO continue to lose crediblity TR, my fear is there are multitudes of sheeple that will buy into the same thoughts or the same crack he obviously is smoking.