[daniel boob]

I'm trying to figure out why the folks at Rand are morons. It seems to me that they're probably right. Saudi allows us access for military purposes, keeps a good diplomatic relationship, and seems to be a friend.

It seems though, that they are harboring, and maybe training, terriosts. I think in the end, when we begin to broaden the scope of the terriost hunt, as Rumsfield as suggested, that we will be in a difficult situation with Sauid Arabia because of this duality.

Am I wrong?

[HAL9000]

The main problem with the Saudis was their funding of the madrassas in Pakistan that were the breeding grounds of the Taliban and Al Qaeda - and money was apparently sent to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers. The U.S. is pressuring the Saudis to cut off those funds, and has achieved some success on this.

On the other hand, the Saudis have facilitated U.S. military operations there, despite the opposition of extremist elements. And they have been cooperative in keeping the supply and price stable - the economy would be in the tank otherwise.

It doesn't make any damn sense to have a war against Saudi Arabia if we can use diplomatic pressure to get them to cooperate.