It's Official (Almost), the Saudis are the Enemy
The Washington Post reported today, that a briefing had been given to the Defense Policy Board which stated quite bluntly, that Saudi Arabia is an enemy of the United States.
About time somebody told the truth about the Saudis.
The Defense Policy Board is short for something called the Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee. This is a group charted by the Congress to give advice to the Defense Department's leadership. It does research and analysis on long-term strategic matters.
Its accusations against the Saudis are serious. According to the Rand Corporation, which did the study, the current Saudi government is a major financier of terrorist activity. They also are major cheerleaders for terrorists who target Israel. Of course the idea that the Saudis are our enemies, flies in the face of current US policy. Mention Saudi Arabia to most members of the current administration and all you will get is a robotic response: the Saudis are our "friends," they export oil to us, they've been our allies for 60 years. And so on and so forth.
Some friends; some allies.
The Saudis are friends the US can do without. Or at least should be able to do without.
Our friends? Yes, "friends," despite the fact that most of the perpetrators of the attack on New York City on September 11 of last year, were Saudis. "Friends," despite the fact that the Saudis continue to provide financial and moral support for terrorists, especially the terrorists who bomb children in Israel.
The Rand Corporation study suggests that if the Saudis continue to support terrorism, then they should face sanctions which could include seizure of Saudi financial assets around the world and even seizure of the Saudi oil fields. The Rand study uses the word "targeted" when referring to Saudi assets, but everyone knows what that word really means.
You can bet the Saudis sure do.
One thing the Saudi monarchy doesn't want is the loss of income from its oil fields.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely the Bush Administration will say anything publicly against the Saudis; it's too busy cranking the American people up for a war against Iraq. It needs Saudi support.
Why does Bush want war with Iraq? We know all the standard reasons. Saddam Hussein is making weapons of mass destruction. He's oppressing his people. He's used poison gas to put down rebellions. He's a threat to Israel. And all the rest of that endless pro-war mantra.
At the end of the day, however only one thing is clear, while it's unlikely Saddam Hussein had anything to do with the destruction of the World Trade Center, the Saudis, at least indirectly, certainly did. "Friends" or not. "Allies" or not.
What to do?
For one thing, the Bush administration should stop this endless war-mongering against Iraq and concentrate its resources on dealing with the Saudis.
For another, it's time to tell the Saudis to stop what they are doing or face the consequences.
Punditwalla--