RIP King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

[Habbaku]

http://youtu.be/aZMbTFNp4wI

[CountDeMoney]

but Iran will be our biggest ally in the region. And the most deserving of our trust.

[CountDeMoney]

Yemen's govt falling is a biggie as it was working with the west against terrorists and now it's an even worse failed state. That government had come to power out of popular uprisings against the previous even less agreeable government, if I remember the events right.

The Yemeni government was great as a "What drones? Where?" rubber stamp for our Whack-A-Mole War On Evildoers, but Yemen's biggest asset for the United States are the tribesmen of south Yemen--they're the ones on the front lines fighting A-Q, and have driven them out of the towns and enclaves before when they've tried to entrench themselves. 

[PJL]

I'm not sure favouring Saudi Arabia over Iran is a good idea anymore. At least Iran has a central religious authority and tends to be more overt about the funding of their guerrilla / terrorist operations, and more easily able to control them when it suits them.

[The Brain]

Bed sheets vs truly awful suits. Tough choice.

[mongers]

Watch the new Adam Curtis film 'Bitter Lake' in part about the US relationship with Saudi Arabia and a fair bit about the propagation of Saudi extremism in the ME and particularly in Afghanistan. 

Many of our right-wingers here, should watch it, if only for a good cardiac workout; I think Yi would end up having kittens.   

 
I don't agree with much of what's said, but worth viewing for some excellently restored archive footage/newsreel material.



edit:

About the Saudi king, I forgot to say, Fuck him. 

[Admiral Yi]

Why would I have kittens?

[KRonn]

Watch the new Adam Curtis film 'Bitter Lake' in part about the US relationship with Saudi Arabia and a fair bit about the propagation of Saudi extremism in the ME and particularly in Afghanistan. 

Many of our right-wingers here, should watch it, if only for a good cardiac workout; I think Yi would end up having kittens.   

 
I don't agree with much of what's said, but worth viewing for some excellently restored archive footage/newsreel material.



edit:

About the Saudi king, I forgot to say, Fuck him. 

The Saudis have been funding and spreading their version of extremism for years, from what I've heard reported. That includes to the US and west, not just the Mid East.

[CountDeMoney]

Why would I have kittens?

Just google for a youtube video of it and you'll see within about 2.363 seconds. 

http://youtu.be/xvOsERMs2Ds

I guess after that, he would have kittens.

[Razgovory]

He was no worse than any other person who controlled the world's largest proven oil reserve.

That's a little harsh on the Rockefeller's isn't it?

[Martinus]

Michelle Obama at the funeral:



Love her. Apparently the Saudis threw a fit. 

[alfred russel]

Love her. Apparently the Saudis threw a fit. 

I'm not sure I understand the point.

I understand taking a stand on principle and saying "fuck you" to the Saudis.

I also understand playing the geopolitics and sucking up to the Saudis.

A visit like this, combining the "fuck you" aspect with the sucking up, seems to communicate the mixed signal: "we really don't like you, we are going to play along for now because of geopolitics, but don't count on us backing you up if it isn't in our immediate interest." Which is of course true, and I'm sure the Saudis know this, but pissing them off at a funeral for their king is only going to push them to look for friends elsewhere.

[Martinus]

I think the point is that she is making a personal statement, which she can make because, unlike her husband, she is not the head of state. And if she did not come, the Saudis would simply think that Barrack told his wife to stay home. So to me, the point she is making is crystal clear - it's the official American policy towards Saudi Arabia that is muddled and shitty.

That's why I praised her, not the American government, for doing that.

[Zanza]

What exactly makes the theocracy in Iran so much worse than the theocracy in Saudi Arabia?

Iran is more hostile towards Israel, but for the rest of the West, Saudi Arabia seems to be a much more potent sponsor or at least origin of terrorism.

[Martinus]

What exactly makes the theocracy in Iran so much worse than the theocracy in Saudi Arabia?

Iran is more hostile towards Israel, but for the rest of the West, Saudi Arabia seems to be a much more potent sponsor or at least origin of terrorism.

Not to mention, their internal oppressiveness is on par (or even Saudi Arabia is worse).