The problem with Saudi Arabia is bigger than you think! Virtually every terrorist activity in the whole globe is connected to Saudis! At first that might seem a little brusque to say the least but let me give you a truncated version of what i had put forth on another thread.
Obviously let us start with the US! The main terrorist groups that have attacked the US are Al Queda and its offshoots (eg Jamia Islamiya and Abu Sayyaf). For these groups the main source of financing is from the Saudis!
Let us move to their ilk! The terrorist groups that are the bane of the Mid.East, for example Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and other terror groups based in Israel and Lebanon who focus mostly on Israelis! The primary source of funding is from Saudi sources. Without the cash flow from opulent Saudi princes the pro-palestinian terror groups would have their abilities negated by a considerable margin!
At this point let us move away from what might be termed 'orthodox arab terror groups' and look at some far-flung terror organizations and other exotics!
First up is the IRA! Starting from some time last year the IRA started giving assistance and training to Hamas and Hezbollah in the middle East, as well as to some terror groups in South America (eg the FARC which i will deal with later)! In essence the IRA became an ad hoc mercenary organization and was selling its 'services' to these other terror groups for cash! For example the recent mortar attacks by the FARC and some motorcycle gun attacks by Hamas have been tied to IRA training! And guess who is paying the IRA for their trouble? You guessed right! Sources within Saudi Arabia!
Let us look at terror groups like the FARC in South America, whose activities stretch from Brazil to Argentina and a lot of other Latin American countries! Unlike the Cartels the FARC wants to set up political clout and some idealistic policies (while Cartels just want some corrupt politician to let them grow drugs in peace). The FARC has been commiting terror activities for some time, including an assasination attempt during the inaugaration of the Argentine Prez! And to this effect they have been receiving money from Saudi arabia to use for weapons and logistics!
In afghanistan during the time of the Taliban there were only 2 countries in the world that recognized them! Pakistan and Saudi Arabia! 'Nuff said!
As for the situation in Russia (the Chechnyan terrorists) there is a lot of Saudi involvement! For example when the Chechnyans invaded Dagestan to try and convert that small nation into an islamic country by force, they were bankrolled by some Saudi personage! Also at the same time Al Queda started setting up linkages with the Chechnyans!
In Yugoslavia some of the Muslim groups (that Clinton foolishly supported) had Saudi money flowing through!
The groups in Somalia and Sudan (for examples the ones in Sudan who still engage in the Slave Trade ....yep, actual slave trade....and mutilate the kids, kill the men, and rape the women) are purely under the aegis (and financing) of the Saudis!
The groups in the Phillipines (like the afore mentioned Abu Sayyaf) who kidnap American missionaries (and chopped of the head of one) as well as other exotics like the ones who took part in the Bali bombing all have income coming from the Saudis!
Even groups that should not have any connections to the Sauds (like the Basques/ETA separatists) may be tainted (although there is no evidence of that yet ...but it is possible).
And if you look at Pakistan you would notice that the Pakistani special services (the ISI, which is the Pakistani CIA) had been offering some logistical assistance to some terror groups, especially those focussing on India, but also to the Taliban and Al Queda when the Taliban were in power! Saudi money bankrolled part of this logistical training and assistance!
In essence what i am trying to show you is that Saudi Arabia is a malignant malaise in the world today! However they do their stuff through proxy! That is why you will not see terrorist groups setting shop inside Riyadh or other Saudi towns! (Which is why i was shocked that the Kuwaiti cop who shot those 2 US soldiers yesterday escaped into saudi arabia ....however as expected Saudi authorities captured the dude to show how 'good' and 'pro-USA' the Saudis are! /sarcasm off)
The Saudi arabian government is clever enough to ensure that no group sets itself up within the kingdom ...however follow the money trail and virtually all terror organizations derive at least part of their income from within Saudi Arabia!
And at this point let me say that even without saudi arabia terrorism would still exist ....however it would be seriously impeded, and in some parts negated!
And that is why Saudi Arabia is a BIG deal!,p>To be honest with you i personally rank the Saudis as a more pressing threat than even Iraq (and by the way i also rank Pakistan and N. Korea as bigger threats than Iraq too). However if GW wants to go after Iraq first then that is his prerogative! I just hope he does not listen to the commercials on TV paid for by the Saudi government that show how the 'Saudis are great allies of the US.'
I loathe the Saudis and see no reason for their continued existance.