Article

2003-11-10 Arabia

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Posted by Steve 2003-11-10 9:23:33 AM|| || Front Page|| [16 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 but, but, but Mecca is only open to members of the Religion of Peace! Surely it is the most peaceful place in the world! Why would they need soldiers? And on such a peaceful holiday as Ramadan?

Posted by BH 2003-11-10 10:11:19 AM|| 2003-11-10 10:11:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 I guess this is a simplistic thought, but I am a simple minded person. It seems to me that AQ having lost their hold in Afghanistan need a new base of operations in the ME and they think that Saudi Arabia is the easiest prey. Other governements have sympathetic players, but already established power-bases that would be far too difficult to overcome.

I note from one of Fred's blubs on Muslim brotherhood: "Al-Ikhwan believe that ruling a government should be the step which follows preparing the society for accepting Islamic laws. Preparing the society is achieved thru plans for spreading the Islamic culture, the possible media means, mosques, and da'wa work in public organizations such as syndicates, parliaments, student unions. Parallel to that, muslims should be trained to administer political, economical, social, and student organizations efficiently (and Islamically). Moreover, the Ikhwan don't demand rule for themselves; they welcome any leader who wants to establish a TRUE Islamic government to have all the Ikhwanic ..."

but is it too simple minded to attribute this to AQ and affiliates being anxious to move to the "ruling a government stage". When viewed in that light, the efforts to unstabilize SA make perfect sense. Afterall, let's be real, like most power struggles, this isn't really about Islam or jihad or any other buzzwords. It's about wanting to be the ones in charge. SA is weak and it looks to me like they are going for it.

Posted by B 2003-11-10 10:59:20 AM|| 2003-11-10 10:59:20 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 it is also about purity and it is also about opportunity.

Al Q wants purity of Islamic belief and the place they want it most is SArabia because of the black rock.

Also, the number of Saudis sympathetic to Al Q type dreams is greater than the number of any other sympathizers. This makes operations easier. It makes finding safe houses easier.

Posted by mhw 2003-11-10 11:28:55 AM|| 2003-11-10 11:28:55 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 mwh..good point. But re: Black rock...are you refering to just the money in general? I don't think negotiating with Russians would be ultimately beneficial to AQ.

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=8200

Posted by B 2003-11-10 12:03:35 PM|| 2003-11-10 12:03:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 "Black Rock" == that chunk of meteoric iron in Mecca around which the pagan temples were built. Old Mo', in the time-honored tradition of all religions, usurped it for his upstart religion.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2003-11-10 12:41:30 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2003-11-10 12:41:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 ok..thanks RC and mwh. It's funny how confusing things suddenly make sense when you view them in the right light.

Posted by B 2003-11-10 12:56:55 PM|| 2003-11-10 12:56:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Can some one tell me these "troops" are? When I read the word "troops" I think of the regular army. The Minister of Defense, Sultan's people. But Saudi Arabia has a White Army, the National Guard, who are accountable to the Crown Prince, Abullah to protect the royal family.
Is their a third army of security forces. Who do they belong to? Nayef? Damn, does every prince have his own army?

Posted by Gasse Katze 2003-11-10 2:25:59 PM|| 2003-11-10 2:25:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 I think that this was supposed to be a bold move, on a par of 9/11. It wasn't only because much of the plot was foiled.

Like 911, AQ hit hard, but not hard enough. Like 9/11 it's going to cost them dearly.

Posted by B 2003-11-10 2:53:40 PM|| 2003-11-10 2:53:40 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Still think 9/11 was a dreadful miscalculation on the part of AQ. They thought the US would fold and were wrong. Do they now think that the US would allow AQ to take over Soddiland and all it's oil?

Posted by Sgt.DT 2003-11-10 4:05:04 PM|| 2003-11-10 4:05:04 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Can some one tell me these "troops" are?

Doesn't matter. Sending any Arab soldiers against any organized force is like sending a Pee Wee football team against year 2003 Oklahoma Sooners.

Posted by badanov 2003-11-10 10:28:19 PM|| [http://www.rkka.org] 2003-11-10 10:28:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Can some one tell me these "troops" are? When I read the word "troops" I think of the regular army.

That is a good question. It does tend to indicate regular army, but more likely National Guard. In any case, still a dubious proposition. With the exception of the air force, the Saudi forces have been infiltrated. Kind of like the Chicago Black Sox in the World Series.

Posted by Pappy 2003-11-10 11:07:03 PM|| 2003-11-10 11:07:03 PM|| Front Page Top

17:56 Anonymous
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00:36 Old Patriot
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