U.S.-Saudi Arabia relations will suffer with death of king

Knight Ridder ^ | As'ad AbuKhalil

[jmc1969]

With the recent death of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, the royal jockeying for power in the country has begun in earnest, and it may have a tremendous effect on U.S.-Saudi relations.

The struggle over who will succeed Fahd is not settled. Crown Prince Abdullah immediately became king. (There are no elections to speak of in the kingdom, and women are tightly shut out of the political process.)

But there are many factions in the royal family. And new factions, and perhaps a new generation of princes, will likely be making bids for power. Their agendas for the future do not necessarily coincide.

Fahd changed the nature of U.S.-Saudi relations, especially during the Reagan administration. This came after he designated his favorite nephew, Prince Bandar, as his ambassador to Washington.

Fahd wanted the relationship to mirror strong U.S.-Israeli relations. He cooperated with the U.S. government on many covert ventures, including the U.S.-Saudi alliance in Afghanistan during the Cold War (that would later produce Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi), his destabilization of the now-defunct Marxist South Yemini regime and his funding of Nicaraguan contras.

While the Bush administration has paid lip service to reform in Saudi Arabia, it is not likely to push the kingdom as long as it continues to produce and sell oil at desired price levels, spend exorbitant amount of its oil wealth on wasteful arms purchases from the United States, and fund and cooperate with U.S. covert ventures around the world.

But the new era will be more fraught with uncertainty. And the United States may not be able to count so solidly on Saudi support. That may mean a lot of adjustment, politically and economically, here at home.

[clee1]

Bullsqueeze!

The King was in a coma for the last decade.

[garyhope]

Gee, too bad. They were so good before.

I'm maybe kidding just a little bit here.

[garyhope]

Gee, too bad. They were so good before. The Saudis loved us so much before.

I'm maybe kidding just a little bit here.

[jmc1969]

He makes that point quite well, but there are a wide array of Wahhibi princes in Saudi Arabia jockying for power inside the Kingdom.

[NonValueAdded]

How can that be? I thought the Bushes controlled the Saudis ... or was it the other way around? </sarcasm>

[tinamina]

Favorite nephew Prince Bandar got called home and was replaced by the former head of Saudi intelligence. This means something, and I wish I could figure out just what, and why the Bush administration would allow this particular ambassador.

[msf92497]

As if it could get any worse.

If relations eroded any further, the tipping point would be breached, and it would be "night night" for the snottys.

Go ahead, punk, make my day.

[denydenydeny]

the U.S.-Saudi alliance in Afghanistan....that would later produce Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

It's infuriating that this completely unfounded liberal piety has become accepted, unchallenged common wisdom. Are we supposed to imagine that Binnie and Zarkie wouldn't have gone to Afghanistan if America hadn't supported the Afghan resistance?

And the United States may not be able to count so solidly on Saudi support

That's hilarious. The Saudis go out of their way to make sure that the USA is specifically supplied with Saudi oil at all times. According to yesterday's New York Times, Saudi oil executives make it a point, politically, to remain among the nation's top three suppliers, with Canada and Mexico.

The moment we lose Saudi "support" is the moment we start sizing them up for future action. If the famous GWB phrase "you're either with us or with the terrorists" applies to anyone, it applies to the Saudis.

[Prost1]

Knight-Ridder....= AP = Pravda = Socialist bias...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1456357/posts?page=6#6

enough said.

They call and try to give me this paper, but since it has ink I cannot use it in the bathroom!

[rawcatslyentist]

One of their kings dies... relations suffer.... 3,000 of our citizens die.... relations never better.
/sarcasm

Kill A Commie For Mommie
Seven Dead Monkeys Page O Tunes

[Republican Wildcat]

spend exorbitant amount of its oil wealth on wasteful arms purchases from the United States

The author of this piece wouldn't be a bit biased, would he?

[sheik yerbouty]

Saudi Arabia is a fiendly country..

[river rat]

Hmmmm..

Does this mean, that if one of the loony Princes takes over, and he is a Jihadist supporter - in favor of war against the evil Western civilizations, that we can finally designate Saudi Arabia the enemy and destroy the freaking womb of Wahhabi hate?

Semper Fi

[rawcatslyentist]

>"Hmmmm.. Does this mean, that if one of the loony Princes takes over, and he is a Jihadist supporter - in favor of war against the evil Western civilizations, that we can finally designate Saudi Arabia the enemy and destroy the freaking womb of Wahhabi hate?"

In three one word replies
Hopefully, Yes, Soon!

Kill A Commie For Mommie
Seven Dead Monkeys Page O Tunes

[Joe Boucher]

Don't give a hoot for this "king" or his b.s. family. After 9-11 and most of the killers coming from the craphole that is saudi arabia I don't think i can have a worse attitude about all Saudis.
The only good sauid is one just like the dead king.

[Senator Goldwater]

Fahd wanted the relationship to mirror strong U.S.-Israeli relations. He cooperated with the U.S. government on many covert ventures, including the U.S.-Saudi alliance in Afghanistan during the Cold War (that would later produce Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi), his destabilization of the now-defunct Marxist South Yemini regime and his funding of Nicaraguan contras.

Reagan and Casy knew how to play those fat clowns.