Our "ally" Saudi Arabia
Three nasty bits from Saudi King Abdullah just today.
(AFP) "Saudi King Abdullah, whose country is a close US ally, on Wednesday slammed the "illegitimate foreign occupation" of Iraq in an opening speech to the annual Arab summit in Riyadh."
(The NYTimes translates it as "illegal foreign occupation.")
(AFP) At the Arab League meeting, the Saudis brought back the mideast peace settlement that that the US and Israelis have repeatedly shot down. (A step back from the last negotiations.)
(WaPo) King Abdullah, without explanation, cancels his attendence at a White House gala scheduled specifically for him in mid-April.
So, what's going on? Why now? Why today?
(AFP) "Saudi King Abdullah, whose country is a close US ally, on Wednesday slammed the "illegitimate foreign occupation" of Iraq in an opening speech to the annual Arab summit in Riyadh."
(The NYTimes translates it as "illegal foreign occupation.")
(AFP) At the Arab League meeting, the Saudis brought back the mideast peace settlement that that the US and Israelis have repeatedly shot down. (A step back from the last negotiations.)
(WaPo) King Abdullah, without explanation, cancels his attendence at a White House gala scheduled specifically for him in mid-April.
So, what's going on? Why now? Why today?
posted by mikevotes at
8:39 AM
2 Comments:
Sensing the political tidal shift away from Bush and his Iraq policy within the American body politic? Trying to strengthen their hand with their own domestic sectarians? Realizing the global weakness of America under Bush and striking out on their own?
By
-epm, at 10:23 AM
My first guess was that there's been some repproachment or deal with Iran, but their meeting went so badly.
Second guess was domestic politics.
And, I don't think the Saudis strike out on their own. I would see it far more likely that they would seek protection from Russia or China. They may have more independence, but I don't see them working without cover. (Unless they try to balance on the fence.)
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 10:33 AM
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