Archived material Access restricted Article
Rantburg

Today's Front Page   View All of Fri 04/08/2011 View Thu 04/07/2011 View Wed 04/06/2011 View Tue 04/05/2011 View Mon 04/04/2011 View Sun 04/03/2011 View Sat 04/02/2011
1
2011-04-08 Arabia
Obama's Saudi predicament
Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.
Posted by ryuge 2011-04-08 10:37|| || Front Page|| [7 views ]  Top

#1 Historically, in times of trouble, Saudi kings have depended on American presidents to guarantee their external security. But at this moment of crisis, Abdullahviews President Obama as a threat to his internal security.

Obummer ticked off the king and now he is going to Russia and China for trade and security. More Amateur Hour from the One. Never was ready for prime time.
Posted by JohnQC 2011-04-08 13:22||   2011-04-08 13:22|| Front Page Top

#2 Abdullah is reportedly making arrangements for Pakistani troops to enter his kingdom should the need to suppress popular demonstrations arise.

Now there's a sobering thought. How desperate would you have to be to even consider such a thing?
Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2011-04-08 13:43||   2011-04-08 13:43|| Front Page Top

#3 The Sauds used to have about a division's worth of Pak troops at one time. They've cooperated for a long time.
Posted by Zebulon Thranter9685 2011-04-08 14:35||   2011-04-08 14:35|| Front Page Top

#4 The deep structural tensions generated by a 21st-century Westernized elite existing within a 15th-century Saudi social structure have been papered over for decades by oil wealth. If this strange social contract begins to fray, it might tear completely. And over in the eastern quarter, adjacent to Bahrain, where most of Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves are located, sits a restive Shiite minority who have been treated as second-class citizens for decades.

You know what? Let the Pakistanis be the ones who get all "Front line fire!" on angry Shia and teenagers who just want to watch porno without going to prison. I don't want us to have anything to do with that. In fact, I would rather we had nothing to do with the House of Saud at all... though it's difficult to see how right now. It should be a long-term goal.
Posted by Secret Master 2011-04-08 14:59||   2011-04-08 14:59|| Front Page Top

#5 It should be a long-term goal. Right after energy independence.
Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-04-08 18:54||   2011-04-08 18:54|| Front Page Top

23:45 SteveS
23:40 SteveS
23:05 Fi
22:58 Mercutio
22:55 newc
22:53 newc
22:50 newc
22:47 Fi
22:47 newc
22:40 trailing wife
22:39 newc
22:32 Barbara Skolaut
22:30 Barbara Skolaut
22:28 Frank G
22:22 CrazyFool
21:56 Canuckistan sniper
21:50 Glenmore
21:45 Glenmore
21:26 Frank G
21:20 Mizzou Mafia
21:16 Frank G
21:01 Frank G
20:57 Procopius2k
20:54 Procopius2k









Paypal:
Google
Search WWW Search rantburg.com