Posted on 08/13/2003 4:36:17 PM PDT by Pokey78
The suspension of British Airways flights to Saudi Arabia yesterday, following "credible intelligence of a serious threat", is an ominous indication of al-Qa'eda's undiminished capacity to threaten Western global interests.
BA had only recently recommenced flights to Nairobi after a similar threat. After the terrorist attack on a Western compound in Riyadh last May, the writing was on the wall for British visitors to Saudi Arabia.
There is speculation about a link between the latest BA suspension and the arrest in New York of a British arms dealer allegedly involved in the sale of ground-to-air missiles to terrorists.
It is possible that these two events are merely coincidental, but we know that last February the threat of a missile attack on an airliner was taken seriously enough here for troops to be deployed at Heathrow, and Islamist terrorists have attempted to shoot down civilian aircraft before.
Even more unsettling are the political implications for Saudi Arabia. The recent release of British nationals, who say they were tortured into confessing bomb attacks in the kingdom, has highlighted the fact that the Saudi authorities still have not confronted the threat posed by al-Qa'eda. Their attitude is at best ambiguous, at worst duplicitous.
In America and elsewhere, evidence is accumulating that Saudi charitable foundations are still the main source of funds for Islamist terrorism. How much the Saudi regime knew in advance about the attacks of September 11 is still unclear, but the fact that they were ordered and carried out by Saudi terrorists speaks for itself.
Incitement to jihad against the Anglo-American infidel is the staple of many Wahhabicontrolled mosques and schools, whose influence is powerful throughout the Islamic world.
The House of Saud itself is implicated in some of these hostile activities, and appears to be in denial about the threat of its own overthrow. Mass arrests and executions of terrorists are only the public face of Saudi policy towards al-Qa'eda; privately, the emphasis has been on appeasement.
Under these circumstances, Britain and America would be wise to prepare for the possibility of regime change in Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Office and the State Department have a vested interest in preserving the House of Saud, despite the many odious aspects of its rule.
There is, however, a real danger that the royal family's traditionally pro-Western stance may obscure the hollowing-out of the Saudi regime by Islamist elements. A hollowed-out Saudi Arabia could become the vehicle for Osama bin Laden's dream to restore the Caliphate, claiming jurisdiction over Muslims from Bethlehem to Bali.
The West needs contingency plans to deal not only with al-Qa'eda's terrorist attacks, but also with the political design that lies behind them.
This should not be a suprise to anyone, especially the Sauds.
SA was/is far more in need of an asskicking than Sadman.
Iraq was unfinished business - I'll buy that... but it's time we smash the source of 9/11.
After the terrorist attack on a Western compound in Riyadh last May, the writing was on the wall for British visitors to Saudi Arabia.
Both our government and the Brits advised as much at the time and extended it to Americans.
Red flags went up, however, when news of these flight cancellations came across the wire. Saudi Arabia cannot afford to be viewed as an unsafe destinations for airlines.
Under these circumstances, Britain and America would be wise to prepare for the possibility of regime change in Saudi Arabia.
RED LIGHTS FLASHING!!!
There is, however, a real danger that the royal family's traditionally pro-Western stance may obscure the hollowing-out of the Saudi regime by Islamist elements. A hollowed-out Saudi Arabia could become the vehicle for Osama bin Laden's dream to restore the Caliphate, claiming jurisdiction over Muslims from Bethlehem to Bali.
The West needs contingency plans
And how!!!!
These contingency plans should include measures to isolate Wahabbism from the other strands of Islam. Whether the inevitable Fall of the House of Saud becomes a clash of Civilizations is up to other voices in Islam. Should they not wish to denounce Wahabbism and end its insinuation into maddrasses throughout Dar al-Islam: the realm of peace and Dar al-harb: the realm of war. (better a war within Islam than a war with Islam) then we'd better have a contigency plan for that too.
These contingency plans had better include further screening of visa applicants from Muslim countries: ideology (just as during the Cold War) should be a criteria. Our contingency plans need to confront not only those with weapons, but those with subversive ideas who come here intent on infiltrating our universities and other centers of culture formation. Until we acknowledge Wahabbism as an ideology alien to our own ideals, and that it poses a threat as certain, and less rational, than the threat posed by Communism, we are going to "tolerate" ourselves into being hoisted on our own petard.
The House of Saud itself is implicated in some of these hostile activities, and appears to be in denial about the threat of its own overthrow. Mass arrests and executions of terrorists are only the public face of Saudi policy towards al-Qa'eda; privately, the emphasis has been on appeasement.
Under these circumstances, Britain and America would be wise to prepare for the possibility of regime change in Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Office and the State Department have a vested interest in preserving the House of Saud, despite the many odious aspects of its rule.
There is, however, a real danger that the royal family's traditionally pro-Western stance may obscure the hollowing-out of the Saudi regime by Islamist elements. A hollowed-out Saudi Arabia could become the vehicle for Osama bin Laden's dream to restore the Caliphate, claiming jurisdiction over Muslims from Bethlehem to Bali.
We interrupt all other posts to bring you this sobering announcement. From a Brit editorial board, no less.
In America and elsewhere, evidence is accumulating that Saudi charitable foundations are still the main source of funds for Islamist terrorism.
There is, however, a real danger that the royal family's traditionally pro-Western stance may obscure the hollowing-out of the Saudi regime by Islamist elements. A hollowed-out Saudi Arabia could become the vehicle for Osama bin Laden's dream to restore the Caliphate, claiming jurisdiction over Muslims from Bethlehem to Bali.
The West needs contingency plans
The following verse is from the Holy Quran, (the Islamic Bible) Note the chapter and verse - (9 11)
Quran ( 9:11) -- For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.
Hasn't it been a couple on months since the Saudi leadership announce that these cesspits were being cleaned out?
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