Abdullah has paid "solidarity" visits to Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt, supported the PLO politically, and strengthened relations with Iran.



Link: http://www.slate.com/id/1008375/


My views:

A Kiswahili saying: "Rafiki wa karibu kheri kuliko ndugu wa mbali" meaning "a close neighbour is useful than a distant brother.''


Wise saying isn't so ?




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It's an interesting article but it fudges a lot of history.

For example, "The al-Saud family has ruled Saudi Arabia since its patriarch, King Ibn Saud, founded the modern nation in 1932."

What was the process by which it was "founded"?

Or, "The eldest, Saud, passed the crown to Faisal in 1964"

"Passed the crown"? How did that happen?

Sounds hilarious to anyone who knows the history.

The Saudis are not happy with Iran. Everyone knows that.

On the other hand, Iran is a strong regional power and who knows whether they will become stronger in the next few years or weaker?

So, one must work for a weakened Iran, one must strengthen onesself against it, but one must also avoid making it one's total enemy in case things don't work out so well.

One might just as well say that Revolutionary Iran, which started out condemning all royal states in the area and committing acts of terrorism against them, is now "strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia."

But if they are ever in a position to consign the Saudi royalty to the dustbin of history, they will do it in a heartbeat. And the Saudis know that perfectly well.

Yep, they have many differences in outlook, and both would like to see the other run differently. They might even hate each other on some level. But at the same time they have a common interest in regional stability and a few other issues, like Lebanon, occupied Palestine vs Israel, the stability of Iraq etc...

Whatever underhand things each is up to, it's good that they are talking brotherhood even insincerely....much better for both than war. George B can take a lesson in international relations from Big 3aboodi.