Posted on 02/09/2005 4:29:17 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
The Saudis have never really needed a military, sinec they have always had ours, and they don't really have one now (besides ours). Their massive purchases of arms over the years have just been a way of cementing their relationship with the US, which made some sense when they were worried about Soviet-backed threats to their rule, or later Baathist and Iranian threats.
At this point, though, the only threat to their rule is from other Saudis, so there is little reason to court US protection.
When you think about it, though, what does a country with no military do with massive arms purchases? We have always said they buried it, stockpiled it, in the desert to be used by US brigades who might arrive in an emergency and be immediately supplied from Saudi stocks.
If its buried in the desert, though, who is to say it exists? Who is to say that the "arms purchases" weren't massive bribes which purchased American military protection. Or they were underwriting "off-the-books" enterprises that wouldn't show up in the official budget. It might be significant, then, if Saudi bribes were being diversified to include Moscow's ruling elite. It may simply be a way of expressing some pique, by reducing the payoffs to their former American friends.
I know, I'm crazy.
They loved the bars and strip joints in town, though.
If they're "devout" Muslims, that should have been a major tip-off that they're up to no good. It seems that Mohammed allows them to begin indulging a bit early if they're about to earn themselves 72 virgins.
Of course, if they're not "devout", it meant nothing.
They have spent billions on their military but I would bet the IAF would destroy ninety percent of their air force before they even got a plane airborne. As for the land forces...... Let 'em buy hardware from the Russians. They have neither the will to use it nor the capability to learn how.
My question to my fellow posters - where was the stink eye when we sold F-15 and main battle tanks to the premier jihad state of murderers? I think the Saudis will soon realize that its cheaper to buy off a US Senator - American politicians have integrity when it comes to tacking bribes.
What is happening is our girlfriend Saudi is making googly eyes at Ivan in the hopes it makes Sam jealous. PS: When should you be worried? When OPEC goes Euro and the Saudi's withdraw their money from American financial institutions (I think they account for a quarter of our economy).
I ask the same question...where's the outrage when we sell them advanced weapons systems?
You mean the Saudis? I just did.
Yes...the US has sold the Saudi's billions of $'s worth of advanced weapons systems...
I don't really care...as the things they buy tend to rust in the desert.
I'm still trying to figure out why we sold them AWACS two decades ago. I wouldn't trust that with anybody but the Brits or Israelis, and I'd hedge on the latter.
I find it very funny - they are thinking about buying some arms from Russia - people here go ape and apocalyptic - America sold the Saudis BILLIONS of arms over decades - Do as I say not as I do mentality I guess. Shame on us for selling the Saudis anything of value.
38 & 39
I could care less about the Saudis buying Russian hardware. But what I've never understood is the reason we gave them access to top-notch American stuff like the F-15 and M-1. And, like I said, I have no idea why they would have needed AWACS technology.
Yeah, we buy oil from them, but we can sell them second-hand stuff like the F-4 or F-16 and M-60. More than enough to handle the junk Saddam had in 1990 and two years ago.
Things don't rust in the desert. Desert is dry, things are stored, preserved in the desert. Check Arizona desert and the aircraft "parking lot" there. I've got 60 Cadillac from AZ to prove it, no rust.
Actually, the Saudi deserts near the coasts are extremely humid.
ANd, I'm talking about Arabs takikng care of their equipment, not Americans.
Arabs have a general disdain for "blue collar" work, that's why so much of their stuff is in a state of disrepair.
Where is Saddam Hussein when we need him?
Nuts.
I just wished the US and the Russians wouldn't work against each other till the end of the WOT. Yeah I know, the rose colored glasses need a new prescription.
This is Itar-Tass - which loves to load the news and Russophobes like Top take it and run with it.
The Saudi military couldn't even catch terrorists who were in a building thAt they had SURROUNDED.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.