[SunkenCiv]

There is no chance of a caliphate, because — just as in the Middle Ages — there is no Islamic solidarity.

The Saudis had been concerned about getting surrounded — Yemen was simmered down after 40 or 50 years of partition, civil war, etc, then blew up again during the “Arab Spring” — and got screwed in Iraq, and for that matter in Egypt, and are working harder and in concert with the GCC, seeding as many friendly/allied/puppet regimes as they can.

The main problem for the Saudis is, internal division, intrafamily rivalries, and of course devotion to various nut-job deviations of Islam — which is itself the fountainhead of nuttery.

[justa-hairyape]

Thought I read a recent article that some Turk was calling for another Ottoman Empire ? Was that considered a Caliphate at the time ?

[no-to-illegals]

True, yet will toss out a possible ... saudi family has to treat their protectors the military exceptionally well (would think) to maintain the support of their military heads. You mentioned internal divisions within the saudi royal family. Think if a few of the royals decided to go to the evil side (for whatever reason) and paid some of their military leaders to create havoc through and via assassinations of family members. Say this did not actually happen but was made to look like it had happened. Now while this does not appear likely, would greed enter into and make this a situational possibility? Maybe not ... depends on how well paid everyone is with American and world money but the avenues into starting a fire within the house of saud does not look that difficult. Many want the house of saud to be history. One possible to set up conflict within the house ... maybe.

[hummingbird]

"The main problem for the Saudis is..."

Whatever their problem is, it will become US problem. Obama will send military even though he is trying to gut the military here.

And what about all of those weapons and ammo being bought up?

To send to M.E.?