Saudis Threaten War:
Saudi Arabia has warned that it will not allow the Sunnis to be defeated if there is a civil war in Iraq. This is interesting, because no outside power has yet annnounced publicly for the Shi'as (Shiites) of Iraq. The unusual message, in an erratic article in the Washington Post, no less, was clearly aimed at the United States. The fact is that most Arab governments, autocrats all, are already doing their best to make certain of that.

A ranking advisor to the Saudi government has threatened, in the article in the Post (Nov. 30), that his country might intervene in Iraq in the event of an American withdrawal. The author, a Mr. Nawaf Obaid, started by extolling the wisdom of Saudi royal officials, from King Abdullah, to the Prince Foreign Minister to Prince Turkey the Ambassador to Washington. He then stated abruptly that if the U.S withdraws from Iraq, then “the first consequence will be massive Saudi intervention to stop Iranian-backed Shiite militias from butchering Iraqi Sunnis.” The ’Iranian-backed’ adjective was no doubt thrown in for the benefit of American readers. Then the article, clearly not up to the usual standards of The Post, reads like a propaganda piece in a local Saudi newspaper.
The author also claimed that Saudi Arabia can afford to increase oil supply greatly and strangle support for the militias. Yet a few years ago, partly because oil prices were low, the Saudi regime was considered in peril. It still is not out of trouble. He argues that the Kingdom ‘can cut oil prices in half’, and still finance its current spending, and presumably still be able to allow the thousands of royal princelings and other potentates to live in their accustomed style. He did not specify how much more output can Saudi Arabia produce, nor how much it would take to cut prices by 50%. His analysis of the Kingdom's capability and its effect on prices is probably a surprise to the Saudi Oil Minister as well.
Perhaps the Saudis, when they intervene in Iraq, will make sure that they will have enough boots on the ground(or is it Najdi sandals?). Perhaps upward of , oh say 350,00 to 400,000 troops, if such numbers can be rounded up. Or, perhaps they can do the usual and hire expatriates for such a dangerous mission: something that we can call 'The Infidel Legion'. We can call it the Return of Beau Geste. So, if the Saudis replace the United States in Baghdad, in the heart of Sadr City, can their soldiers be called sitting.....goats???
Whatever happened to the idea of a $12 billion security fence? Won't it hamper the Saudi blitzkrieg, no doubt led by another general prince or field marshall prince, across the desert into the Shi'a-infested southern Iraq?

Oops, AhmadiNejad Does it Again:
Iran's uniquely weird (?) president cannot seem to leave well enough alone. Just as it looked like he might escape internationl censure and sanctions, the occasinally incoherent leader has sent another letter to the United States, advising changes in foreign policy. Mr. Nejad clearly believes that his earlier rantings against Israel have gained him support on the Arab street- so he has come back for more. That is a misfortune for those who have to listen to or read these lengthy repetitive statements.
 
Cheers
Mohammed

mghuloum@arabiadeserta.com