The Saudis have been engaged in a delicate balancing act, taking steps to preserve their long-standing alliance with Washington in a way that doesn't alienate local Islamic militants terrorists long opposed to the United States for its support of Israel, the former diplomat said.
The most notorious Saudi militant terrorist, of course, is Osama bin Laden, purported mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks. One of his chief grievances is the presence of US forces - "infidels," as he sees them - on Saudi territory. Many of bin Laden's compatriots share his outrage.
Purported ? purported ??!!!
"Many Americans," or the Clinton administration?
By the way, what was the reason for such hostility to the post-Communist Russians? Why regard them as a greater threat than Islamists who continually denounced this country and had already carried out the first WTC bombing in '93?