The weekend execution of top Saudi Shi’ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr has fueled a lot of anger across the region, and in addition to the public protests, the Saudi government is also contending with growing diplomatic fallout on several fronts.
They’ve likely lost two embassies in the incident, with the Iranian embassy badly burned by protesters, leading the Saudi kingdom to several all ties with Iran, and Iraqi officials suggesting the recently reopened Baghdad embassy is now unwelcome.
Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir also announced he is indefinitely postponing a planned visit to Pakistan, almost certainly because he has to contend with this growing international ire. Jubeir was to try to court Pakistan into joining the anti-ISIS coalition.
Obama Administration officials expressed “deep concerns” about the execution, and the possibility that the new tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran would impact the ongoing ISIS war. Both Saudi Arabia and Iran are fighting against ISIS.
saudi arabia is fighting ISIS? That's news to me.
Oops!
Well, they loudly yell that they are fighting ISIS while secretly sending ISIS arms, cash, and other support. Similar to what the US is doing.
If Saudi Arabia is fighting ISIS why are they, or at least why were they covertly funding ISIS?
This is aimed at sabotage of the US dealings with Iran. Therefore, Israel approves. The US is facing both united to undermine its policies.
The US keeps company with some real odious douchebag regimes – averse to truth, human rights – all they care about is perpetuating their own power.
US M.E. allies need some regime changing. But only if they don't serve US interests.
"Deep concerns". Wow, don't be too harsh. How about we are cutting all diplomatic ties with you until you can behave like civilized human beings? Of course we'd have to start behaving like civilized human beings to avoid being hypocritical yet again.