Saudi Arabia

[RYH64E]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B413S201012...

So, most of the 9 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden was born in Saudi, residents of Saudi Arabia are key financers of terrorists and "It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority,", and of course there is a complete absence of democracy.

Sounds to me like they are more of a threat than Iraq ever was, if there is any consistency in American foreign policy surely we should expect a military intervention soon?

[Victor McDade]

The Americans recently signed a $60 billion arms deal with them. And they've bought billions of military hardware from ourselves over the years.

So I guess it's a case of jobs + £s >>>>anything else.

It isn't so much their direct monetary funding of terrorists which should worry us, it's their brainwashing of British Muslim kids who are fed the Saudi Wahabi version of Islam in many schools up and down this country.

http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/index.php/compon...

[12gauge]

Why an earth would we want any consistency in foreign policy other than protecting British Interests -even if it comes round to bite us in the arse in 20 years time, or, given politicians inability to see past the end of their own nose, especially if it comes round to bite us in the arse in 20 years time.

If people cant pick up on the Irony of the queen shunning the chance to meet democratically elected BNP representatives, yet happily kowtow to the murderous nutcases that are the Saudi Royals, why would they notice double standards in our foriegn policy?

[Flintstone]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Read it. Quite boring, no surprises.

[Jimbeaux]

12gauge said:

Why an earth would we want any consistency in foreign policy other than protecting British Interests -even if it comes round to bite us in the arse in 20 years time, or, given politicians inability to see past the end of their own nose, especially if it comes round to bite us in the arse in 20 years time.

If people cant pick up on the Irony of the queen shunning the chance to meet democratically elected BNP representatives, yet happily kowtow to the murderous nutcases that are the Saudi Royals, why would they notice double standards in our foriegn policy?

You have touched on the main point; you do what is in the best interest of your country. That will not always score high on the nobility sheet, but there is reality for you.

[Countdown]

Jimbeaux said:

12gauge said:

Why an earth would we want any consistency in foreign policy other than protecting British Interests -even if it comes round to bite us in the arse in 20 years time, or, given politicians inability to see past the end of their own nose, especially if it comes round to bite us in the arse in 20 years time.

If people cant pick up on the Irony of the queen shunning the chance to meet democratically elected BNP representatives, yet happily kowtow to the murderous nutcases that are the Saudi Royals, why would they notice double standards in our foriegn policy?

You have touched on the main point; you do what is in the best interest of your country. That will not always score high on the nobility sheet, but there is reality for you.

Agreed. A decent set of politicians will always act in the best interests of their country. Corrupt politicians will act in their own (and their friends) interests and pretend its in the country's best interests. Its always been this way and always will be.

[BeeRoad]

RYH64E said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B413S201012...

So, most of the 9 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden was born in Saudi, residents of Saudi Arabia are key financers of terrorists and "It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority,", and of course there is a complete absence of democracy.

Sounds to me like they are more of a threat than Iraq ever was, if there is any consistency in American foreign policy surely we should expect a military intervention soon?

Well, lots of Americans funded republican Irish terrorism but we didn't stop being their allies. The difference is that generally speaking neither the US or Saudi governments actively support terrorism or terrorists even though some of their citizens may, rather like our own home grown 7/7 terrorists.

[RYH64E]

BeeRoad said:

RYH64E said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B413S201012...

So, most of the 9 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden was born in Saudi, residents of Saudi Arabia are key financers of terrorists and "It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority,", and of course there is a complete absence of democracy.

Sounds to me like they are more of a threat than Iraq ever was, if there is any consistency in American foreign policy surely we should expect a military intervention soon?

Well, lots of Americans funded republican Irish terrorism but we didn't stop being their allies. The difference is that generally speaking neither the US or Saudi governments actively support terrorism or terrorists even though some of their citizens may, rather like our own home grown 7/7 terrorists.

The problem is that America and her allies usually support 'freedom fighters' rather than terrorists, but it is a bit difficult to use that justification this time. Bin Laden started off as a freedom fighter when he was resisting the Russian occupation of Afghanistan but is clearly a terrorist now it is our boys over there.

It's how to deal with the Saudi conundrum that has me puzzled, on the one hand they seem to be complicit in funding actual, real terrorists, but on the other hand they are good friends of the West and a damned good customer as well. What to do?

[Victor McDade]

RYH64E said:

BeeRoad said:

RYH64E said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B413S201012...

So, most of the 9 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden was born in Saudi, residents of Saudi Arabia are key financers of terrorists and "It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority,", and of course there is a complete absence of democracy.

Sounds to me like they are more of a threat than Iraq ever was, if there is any consistency in American foreign policy surely we should expect a military intervention soon?

Well, lots of Americans funded republican Irish terrorism but we didn't stop being their allies. The difference is that generally speaking neither the US or Saudi governments actively support terrorism or terrorists even though some of their citizens may, rather like our own home grown 7/7 terrorists.

The problem is that America and her allies usually support 'freedom fighters' rather than terrorists, but it is a bit difficult to use that justification this time. Bin Laden started off as a freedom fighter when he was resisting the Russian occupation of Afghanistan but is clearly a terrorist now it is our boys over there.

It's how to deal with the Saudi conundrum that has me puzzled, on the one hand they seem to be complicit in funding actual, real terrorists, but on the other hand they are good friends of the West and a damned good customer as well. What to do?

The Saudi Royals avoid cracking down on religious nutters because by keeping their wahhabi theocracy in place it helps to control the masses and thus avoid a call for the monarchy to be scrapped.

Ironically this helps America and her allies too. Rather have corrupt Royals we can buy off than a democratic leader who may not be very favourable to us. Take the example of the Shah of Iran - he wasn't perfect but he was a heck of a lot better than the post revolution leaders of Iran (from a Western pov).

Edited by Victor McDade on Sunday 5th December 22:13

[s1962a]

RYH64E said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B413S201012...

So, most of the 9 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, Bin Laden was born in Saudi, residents of Saudi Arabia are key financers of terrorists and "It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority,", and of course there is a complete absence of democracy.

Sounds to me like they are more of a threat than Iraq ever was, if there is any consistency in American foreign policy surely we should expect a military intervention soon?

With the ongoing recession, it's unlikely many funds will be put toward non-oil based energy sources, so this 'special relationship' will probably be around for a long while yet.

[dandarez]

Hah, if only Kenny Everett was still alive.

Do you reckon he would be standing up on a Conservative perch and screaming: 'Let's bomb S.... A....!' ???