Saudi Arabia Declares State of Alert (Security Forces Called Back From Leave)

CNBC-TV | Andrea Mitchell

[Rutles4Ever]

Obviously related to the illness. Must be series.

[tygershark]

Hey, was interested in how you came about the screen name of Semper Paratus. I have not heard that expression since my old days in the U. S. Coast Guard. Are you now or are you formally a Coastie?

[Semper Paratus]

Thanks. I was a member of the USCG Active Reserve from 1973 thru 1980. When I first signed on to FR in 1998 it was available so I grabbed it.

[Now_is_The_Time]

Prayers go out to Fahd and his family. They have been a key US ally in the region for many years and hopefully we will continue to benefit from an even closer relationship in the future.

[Braak]

Methinks whatever happens, there will be trouble, if your king is dying, and the regent is not too healthy himself, expect things to be rotten in Dennmark (apologies to Shakesphere).

[dervish]

Lawrence did not empower the Hashemites, the House of Hussein. The Hashemites were considered the direct descendants of Mohammed and were the appointed rulers of Mecca and Medina under the Turkish Caliphate.

In 1924 they were overthrown by Ibn Saud who allied with the Inkwan, translated as The Brotherhood. This was an alliance of convenience, and Ibn Saud defeated the Inkwan but kept Wahabbi rule.

I'm not sure what if any relationship the Inkwan has to the Muslim Brotherhood.

[AdmSmith]

I guess that you read this http://www.jerusalemonmymind.com/wahhabtobinladen.html

Ikhwan was the brotherhood of desert warriors, try this http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/loc/sa/ikhwan.htm

[AdmSmith]

From bad to worse?
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=642322

The crown prince (Abdullah) represents the Bedouin, conservative, tribal interests in the kingdom, out of sympathy with the often corrupt and pro-Western outlook of much of the royal family. He would be a pragmatic king who would seek to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependency on America in order to improve the prospect of peace in the Middle East.

As an upholder of "true Islam", it is hoped that he would be in a better position to deal with the Islamist militants who denounce the royal family as venal American puppets. He is popular with the Saudi public, which views him as straight-talking and honest.

[ddtorque]

Spotlight Saudi Arabia: The Oil Kingdom, A Royal House of Cards

[dervish]

Thank you. It sounds like they bear a resemblance to the Muslim Brotherhood in their religious ferocity and desire to sever ties with the West. Is their any actual connection?

As to succession, the main rivalry is between the two branches of the family of half-brothers, the al Sauds which is headed by Crown Prince Abdullah and the 'Sudairi Seven' the seven brothers who hold strategic ministries. The key Sudairi leaders include King Fahd; Minister of Defense Prince Sultan; Prince Naif, the Minister of Interior; and Prince Salman, the governor of Riyadh; although some add Abd al-Rahman, the Deputy Minister of Defense.

Crown Prince Abdullah has no brothers. This is a huge political liability counterbalanced somewhat by the Bedouin ties giving him tribal support which you mentioned. His mother was Bedouin. Chances are great that the succession after Abdullah will pass to the Sudairi branch.

Prince Bandar the longtime Saudi Ambassador to the US is an illegitimate son of Prince Sultan the Minister of Defense, a Sudairi.

Here's a good FR summary --
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/812214/posts

[AdmSmith]

Thanks, that is an informative thread, but we need an update ;-)

[FierceKulak]

Hmmm, that would be perfect if you could somehow work "stuned beebers" in there.