[Steve Eisenberg]

All is not what it seems. Rather than getting angry at the Saudis prematurely, one could ask what the Times is up to with this story, and who planted it.

It's exactly what it seems. Some high ranking Saudi, maybe their ambassador to the U.S., told the Times most of this stuff in order to try to intimidate the President. You can complain about the New York Times, but compared to, say, the London Guardian or London Independent, their reporting is professional. The Saudi's are trying to intimidate us, not the New York Times.

Before too long, the Saudi government is likely to be overthrown no matter what happens on this diplomatic front.

[Jim Noble]

I posted a thread in December suggesting that we take over Saudi Arabia first, as a base and staging area for Iraq.

I think the Bushies think that after Saddam falls that the Saudis will fall into line like the corrupt midgets they are, obviating the need to occupy the Kingdom.

I hope they're right.

[Miss Marple]

Let me get this straight. You think the Saudi ambassador told the Times this and the Times went along and printed it without sourcing it? And this is supposed to intimidate the President?

I suppose that is possible, but since the ambassador is Prince Bandar who knows the entire Bush family, I dare say he would simply call the Presidient on the phone.

Now someone who purports to know the scoop could have talked to the reporter, but the question is who, and does the reporter believe this or not? And if not, then what is the point?

As I said...all is not what it seems.

[speekinout]

Before too long, the Saudi government is likely to be overthrown

I think that's what ol' Abdullah is worried about. So, he's announced that he is coming here to "demand" things that Bush already wanted (a separate Palestinian state and Israel's troops out of Palestinian territory). When Bush agrees, he will go back to announce in triumph that he has successfully "intimidated" Bush.

He will be a hero in the Arab states, the NYT and Wash Post will lament Bush's "concessions", and there will be a string of posts here talking about what a wimp Bush is. :-)