Quote:
Originally posted by ktsnake
I'm not sure how Saudis generally feal about their monarch. If they have a favorable view, I would see an act like that just cementing their resolve against groups like Al Quaeda. For the US, something like that might actually be helpful as far as our middle east policy and the war against terrorism.
I think at this point as far as Libya goes, the US is best off playing with the hand it's dealt. Pakistan, for example, while not being a model of democracy is much better for the US as an ally than as an enemy.
I'm still on the fence about Libya.
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Most Saudis do not like the monarchy. The extremist element of Saudi society sees the House of Saud as a corrupt, debauchery-ridden family with no legitimate authority over the Islamic holy sites around Saudi Arabia. They refuse to even call it "Saudi" Arabia because that signifies the Saud family's leadership over the Arabian Peninsula. The moderate, mainstream sector of Saudis sees the monarchy also as corrupt, but also as pandering to the extremists and ulemas (so-called holy men). I've never really understood why we consider Saudi Arabia to be an ally.
Libya seems to be a lot of hot air but no action. However, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't keep an eye out on the situation. Qadaffi shows signs of some serious mental issues, as he has ever since he came into power. If you want to talk about flip-flopping, he's your man. Not to mention his treatment of foreign dignitaries isn't what you'd call gracious.
