See post #6. The difference between the mullahs and the royal family is subtle.
Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism and the Spread of Sunni Theofascism
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1925860/posts
See post #6. The difference between the mullahs and the royal family is subtle.
It is so subtle as to be laughable. As someone who spent five years in Saudi Arabia [1987-92] working for the USG, the points listed in post #6 are not only silly, but they confuse the Saudi Government with the actions of some of its citizens. UBL wants to remove the Royal Family from power and AQ in Saudi Arabia has launched a number of attacks against the government, infrastructure, and foreigners, including attacking our consulate in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia is the home of two of the three holiest sites in Islam. There is a reason why the King is called the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The USG has called for more religious freedom and improved treatment of women as part of our human rights policy, which is spelled out in the annual Human Rights Report for Saudi Arabia published by the State Department.
The Saudis have been helpful in a number of ways, operating on our behalf without being publicly known. They have also helped stablize world oil supplies and prices by using their excess capacity to address shortfalls and moderate prices. They are the world's largest source of exportable oil and have the world's largest proven oil reserves. Our own national strategic interests require us to maintain good diplomatic relations with the Saudis. And I would rather have them purchase weapons from us than the Russians or Chinese.