[scottiewottie]

To extend this even further, this editorial neglects the prospect of leverage. The ruling Saudi family is dependent upon US investment and resources that cannot be found elsewhere. The Saudi family must cooperate with the US and allies at the peril of distrust of their own population. The cooperation we have with Saudi Arabia would be non-existent without investment ties to the US. The more influence we have upon Saudi business, the more cooperation we will gain from them.

[drjimmy]

The more influence we have upon Saudi business, the more cooperation we will gain from them.
That influence and cooperation have gotten us lots of oil and a few thousand dead people at the hands of terrorists. Oh, and a few folks at the higher echelons of both political parties a few million dollars.