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2002-10-18 Arabia

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2002-10-18 02:12 pm|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I suspect that once the US has permanent bases in Iraq, in position to intercept al-qaida traffic moving between central asia and the arabian peninsula, relations between the US and Saudi Arabia will change.

Iraqi oil will reduce Saudi Arabian leverage (and income), US troops will move out of the kingdom and away from Saudi holy sites. Saudi Arabia will find itself somewhat marginalized, vis a vis the US presence in the area, and probably under greater US pressure to clamp down on terror, as a result.

Posted by Rene Buchard 2002-10-18 15:31:47|| 2002-10-18 15:31:47|| Front Page Top

#2 To the author of the report: Amen!

However, I disagree with Rene in marginalizing Soddi-controlled Arabia. As long as the Soddis have oil money, they can't be marginalized, and all the Iraqi oil does is drive down the cost per barrel (to a point). The Soddis would still have the money to spread Wahhabite teachings around the (gullible) Islamic world. And US pressure won't work, as the Soddis see this as part of their religion.

Unfortunately, the only answer is to separate the Soddis' from their oil revenues. I'd suggest a new Shi'a state in NE Arabia, one friendly and grateful to the West for their liberation from the House of Saud. That might work.

Posted by Steve White 2002-10-18 18:15:16|| 2002-10-18 18:15:16|| Front Page Top

01:59 Anonymous
18:32 Sam
18:24 Sam
18:15 Steve White
15:54 Raj
15:53 Rene Buchard
15:31 Rene Buchard
13:32 Mike N.
13:27 Mike N.
13:21 Chuck
11:55 Aracona