RIP King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

[alfred russel]

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.

Saudi Arabia doesn't lobby for OPEC to jack up the price of oil?

[CountDeMoney]

Iran is more hostile towards Israel and the United States,

FYP.

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

I suppose you missed the 1980s and most of the 1990s then.

[KRonn]

Kind of tough to call but I'd probably favor an alliance with Saudi Arabia than Iran, as Iran has intentions to take over what ever nations in the region it can. It's a major sponsor of terrorism, and in Iraq Iran is responsible for killing or assisting hostile groups in the killing/wounding thousands of US and allied soldiers. They're also the most agressive and dangerous nation in the region. No other nation has similar intentions on the region that they do and it's a major concern to US/western allies or friendly nations like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel and others.

The Saudis are more subtle in some ways. They fund/sponsor mosques around the world and in doing so spread their Wahibi religion and imams to those places.  Some Saudis also fund/sponsor terrorism and extremist groups so that's a major concern but it's not the government's policy as it is with Iran. The US/west has been able to work with Saudi Arabia on many issues over the years so there's been a mutually beneficial alliance, though as I say it's quite a two edged sword given Saudi activities. Saudis being a major OPEC supplier means having to keep them as some kind of friend for the many nations that rely on its oil and gas.

[derspiess]

Can't believe Michelle insulted our Saudi allies

[viper37]

Can't believe Michelle insulted our Saudi allies

Exceptions are made for foreigners, however, and Michelle — who did wear loose clothing that fully covered her arms — appears to have been one of them. In photographs from the official events, other foreign female guests are also shown not wearing headscarves.
Republican non story?  I guess so...

[CountDeMoney]

It's a fucking desert.  Too goddamned hot for shit on your head.  The locals want to wear their Sunday Best table linen, that's on them.

[crazy canuck]

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.

Saudi Arabia doesn't lobby for OPEC to jack up the price of oil?

You think they are doing that for the benefit of the West?

[alfred russel]

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.

Saudi Arabia doesn't lobby for OPEC to jack up the price of oil?

You think they are doing that for the benefit of the West?

Hell no. However, I do think they value a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" relationship with the West, and that plays into their decision making process.

[Valmy]

Absolutist monarchs dying of old age make Ghost Marat cry

Anyway may the next King of the House of Saud be the last.

[celedhring]

It was still a state funeral, to be frank, it's one of the few instances where people covering themselves - male and female - is sort of observed in the West too.

[The Brain]

Ed has a saud.

[Razgovory]

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.

The Iranians not on our side and they are building nuclear weapons.

[Siege]

Too bad he died before the technological singularity.
He could have enjoyed a much longer life, an indefinite lifespam of raping young boys and old donkeys.

[crazy canuck]

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.

Saudi Arabia doesn't lobby for OPEC to jack up the price of oil?

You think they are doing that for the benefit of the West?

Hell no. However, I do think they value a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" relationship with the West, and that plays into their decision making process.

How is low oil prices which are so low they undercut the efforts of North America to become oil self sufficient (not to mention the efforts to develop alternative energy) scratching the back of the West.  They are not doing any favours here.  They have their focus on their own long term interest.

[frunk]

How is low oil prices which are so low they undercut the efforts of North America to become oil self sufficient (not to mention the efforts to develop alternative energy) scratching the back of the West.  They are not doing any favours here.  They have their focus on their own long term interest.

The oil will still be there 10, 20, 50 years from now.  If technology in the short term supersedes oil then better that we don't cause whatever environmental damage it causes to extract it.  If technology takes a significantly longer time to catch up to the market prices of oil then this price drop is only temporary and the NA oil will still be well worth getting later.

Technology development might, at most, be slowed down by a few years, and that's only if prices stay low for a good while longer.

I consider this a huge favor, even if they don't mean it as such.