[AmericanInTokyo]

It might take a targeted, covert effort such as you suggest. Dangling a few carrots all while hitting mercilessly with sticks after find the best pressure points.

We are kind of tripping around the dark, tripping over our _____s if you ask me, diplomatically and politically speaking.

[rageaholic]

We are kind of tripping around the dark, tripping over our _____s

The Government overvalues relations with the Saudi Royals. Its all about their oil. What the Govt seems to forget is the Saudis need our money more than we need their oil. If we got tough with them, they'd blink first.