Arabia's Civil War

danielpipes.org ^ | 5/14/2003 | Daniel Pipes

[big gray tabby]

Who cares how much oil they're sitting on? We have our own access now, and if they think they can sell oil at $30 a barrel while we're trading it at $25 they're idiots.

They can either be a part of the world energy market or they can starve. It's that simple. What's more, they know it.

As far as their arms go, they're no threat to us, and they'd have a tough time mustering enough pilots to be a threat to anyone else. I don't think they teach F-15 in Wahabbi school.

[bert]

....In such a situation it takes a single strong charismatic leader to arise...

Bandar

[Savage Beast]

Thanks, Ran. No, my questions were not rhetorical. I really wanted to know.

If the Saudis do not believe Wahhabism, the considering their enormous resources, it seems that they might find a way to mollify the fanaticism of the general population, perhaps through the intelligent use of propaganda, etc. What do you think?

[randita]

I believe that the Islamic clerics hold way more sway over the general populace that the royal family. If the royal family attempted a PR war which contradicted, made light of, or belittled the message of the clerics, I think they would hasten their demise.

The royal family would be wise to do everything possible to rid their country of and and all remnants of Al Qaeda and/or any other terrorists groups. This will be a formidable task as reports hold that terrorists have infiltrated the SA military and most possibly hold high ranking positions in the royal family administration.

This is a war between freedom loving nations and terrorist tolerating nations. The royal family better choose the right side in the war, or they will be no more.

[habs4ever]

The US does have a vested interest in NOT having Arabia go like Iran did in 1979.I just wish the Saudis had the wisdom to recognize how perilous their situation is, entirely due to their own short sighted neglect.

[Savage Beast]

"The royal family better choose the right side in the war, or they will be no more."

Yes. But considering the amount of power the Wahhabis hold over the Saudis, the royal family would be foolish to challenge them. The Saudis would also be foolish to rely completely upon the Americans, considering the caprice of American political power and foreign policy. From the point of view of the Saudis, maintaining a balance between the Wahhabi threat and American unreliability would seem to be the wisest policy--unless they could find some way to subvert Wahhabi power and influence without inflaming the populace. Such a plan would require great cleverness, but their resources are enormous, and it seems that it might be possible.