Saudi Arabian security forces have begun a campaign of arresting high-profile opposition figures, including high-profile clerics Sheikh Salman al-Awdah, and Awad al-Qarni. The clerics were believed to have been arrested primarily for publicly advocating Saudi rapprochement with Qatar.
Both clerics are also seen as opponents of the Saudi royal family. Such detentions are expected to continue throughout the week, as a major rally against the royal family is reportedly planned for Friday, and which is expected to be an unusually large challenge to their rule.
This comes amid several different rumors surrounding the royal family, including several sources claiming that King Salman intends to abdicate soon, turning over the country to Crown Prince Mohammed. Saudi analysts say a roundup of dissidents would be in keeping with such a change in power, though it likewise could just be related to the protest.
The abdication plan is just one rumor, as Voice of Israel radio claimed a Saudi prince has secretly visited with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and some are reporting that it was the crown prince. Such a visit, if confirmed, would be unprecedented, and potentially unpopular given Saudi Arabia’s long history of not having ties with Israel.
On top of that, while the names of all those detained have not been made public, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd is rumored to be among the detained. The multi-billionaire prince was a key ally to the late King Abdullah, but had largely been politically sidelined in recent years.
All of these conflicting reports on the royal family point to at the very least the situation in Saudi Arabia being unusually unstable. Whether that leads to abdication or not, it would not be unusual for such a flurry of rumors to provoke a crackdown for stability’s sake in the kingdom, and such a crackdown could last for some time.
When neocons are unhappy, it is easy to recognize the fury of protests, innuendos, accussations, rummors, and get all those who thought neocon mine is free — to fulfill the deal with the devil.
As clearly seen from the space, remival ob MbN (Najaf) was the shock to neocon global aspirations, particularly in the Middle East and the plans for Iran. The presumably demented King with Alzheimers is meeting with various officials, with Foreign Minister Lavrov for example. And will probably visit Moscow soon. The standard rumor in all our MSM had been therefore pushing for King to abdicate and the new King was to be the product of FBI and CIA training. Niw, that the story has been proven fake, the fake stories are spread of King’s abducation. The rumors reflect fear that MbS will become King, sealing the fate of Washington insiders. The Kingdom will continue being Washkngton’s ally, but will no longer be as forthcoming on issues that brought ruin to KSA. And all these were pushed by Bin Najaf. Yemen, Syria, hostility and superiority towards Egypt, and rampant Irano-phobia. Since sideling Al -Najaf, Egypt became partner, brokering “principles” instead of ultimatums on Qatar. KSA blew the hole in US attempted mediation — and the relationship with Qatar are becoming the catalyst for rethinking Gulf policies, and external meddling and undue haste, are clearly notvwanted.
Neocons thought they had it all — only Iran remained unbowed. But now, castles if sand are crumbling. Turkey acquiring Russian S-400, Syria’s conflict wt the end game stage, and even Saudi Foreign Minister publicly calling for peace. Even agreeing to unified delegation of various exile “oppositions” at upcoming oeace talks. This means KSA is throwing under the bus the Ruyadh based “opposition”, as it cannot be separate from Cairo and Moscow based “oppositions”. Egypt has signed the deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant. Al-Sissi is inviting Putin to opening ceremony to lay the foundation stone, as Putin is by far the most popular leader in the Middle East. There is no place in the Middle East where neocons have not suffered a setback. Lsvtov is talking about Palestinian issue to Saudi and Jordanuan Kings. Israel has squandered a good relationship with Russia, not a smart move. A new Middle East is emerging — but neocons do not liove it. It sucks to be a neocon.
Well!!!!! Another stunner by Bianca….. Really a mega stunner….
But I don’t understand exactly what she is saying.. If the Neocons have squandered their grip on the leaders in the ME… and the GCC GREAT!!!
But I’m not getting what is actually going on within
What is going on within? Within Washington circles of power struggle, or within the Saudi Kingdom?
Within the Saudi kingdom Bianca & thank you for addressing my query. So, is it that MbN (Najaf) …somehow got ousted to be replaced by Mb
Thank you Thomas.
There is a simple guide to neocon mind. Reminds me of communist times, and typical media role. As soon as the communist elite decided to end someone’s career, articles would show up in major papers criticizing the work and the personality of the target. Everybidy then knew how to read between lines. Usually, the targeted person would be criticized for their “bad tendencies”,from childhood onward.
And here we are. MbS has never before been portrayed too hawkish by our neocin press. So, why the change of heart?
Once he became Crown Prince, tune changed. He was more or less called a lose cannon, impetuous and very unlike steady and “moderate”!MbN. Then we learned that the young prince was responsible for all sorts of bad things. He started Yemen war, and escalated it, putting the coalition of the willing. He overspent on his adventures, and emptied KSA coffers. He singlehandedly decided to go bonkers on Qatar — the good MbN was not enthusiastic. But then, neocons, as usual, go into excess. Suddenly, they were ctitical of KSA, women”s rights, oppression of dissent, etc. almost as if these problems did not exist before young prince started to throw his weight around.
This narrative does not hold water — and the mere fact that neocon media is frothing at the mouth, suggests a different story.
Here are facts worth noting.
MbN was an old hand, the best friend US CIA and Clintons ever had. He was always in security, secret services, intelligence, managing Ministry of the Interior (KSA FBI). US lobbied very heavily for his promotion to Crown Prince. And prevailed. One has to understand the roles of Saudi hierarchy.
King is the power broker, keeping all factions happy or at least compliant. Crown Prince runs the government. There are no dissentions in the Government, as Crown Prince makes all decisions. Crown Prince was the great neocon hope. He came to US to college, but never graduated.
Instead, he was busy taking classes at FBI and later Scottland Yard.
And became Saudi top security official. Once Crown Prince, the bold agenda of anti-Iranian GCC was to be formulated, Egypt’s debt to Saudi Arabia and UAE was to be the leverage to keep Egypt in line. Not to mention milions of Salafis in Egypt under Saudy Wahhabi influence. And the support for radical Salafi cults, or as they call them in Arab world –Takfiri — was exploding. As if on magic carpet, they showed up everywhere some destabilizing was needed. From Libya to Phillipines. At the height of the arrogance, when Egypt left coalition, KSA stopped the delivery of already paid for oil.
Egypt was seeking urgent links with Russia and China as a result. But KSA pressed further, demanding two Red Sea islands from Egypt. This was a foolish move, as normally pro-Saudi Salafists turned patriotic, and resented Saudi demands. As-Sissi milked it for all its worth. Qatar was along same overconfident lines. The Qatar connection to Iran via shared gas fields was the target. But the old link to Turkey became problematic since last year’s coup in Turkey, and Turkey moved decisively towards Iran and Russia. So — in a crude neocon style plot, Qatar was to cave in under threats. But it became quickly obvious that KSA has no support. Kuwait with 40% Shia population, Bshrain 80%, UAE with high Iran trade, Oman with good relations with Iran. Egypt joined the hike opportunistically — to exploit KSA isolation, and essentially became the most powerfull Sunni nation in face of collapsing GCC. The facts are, the Crown Prince and the top security man, took Saudi Arabia on the course of self destruction. Destructive Yemen war, depleted coffers, and overextended finances. But one thing is clear — no Defence Minister, even the son of a King could defy Head of Givernment, and future King. So, the neocons who never complained before, suddenly are incensed over Yemen. They were only dangling prospect of suing KSA for 9/11. But now they will not dangle — but go for it.
Qatar debacle created the crisis for the Kingdom. GCC fell apart, Egypt stepped in to hold Saudi hand, and no way out.
This resulted in a serious expressions of the lack of confidence in MbN. The council that decides on issues of succession met, and made the change. But significantly, MbN was releived of all posts. Neocons speculated that ge was under house arrest. By comparison, MbS has not studied outside the country. This is a new trend among royals, as many end up being snarled into extortionable problems. But what is interesting about his career is the focus on economy and the management of Aramco. And his three low key trips to Moscow as Defence Minister. His appointment was greeted in Miscow with satisfaction. Some revealed cables show his search for ending war in Yemen. And he is proceeding with the sale of 5% of Aramco, to fund his economic development plan not dependent on oil. Very recent Lavrov visit with Saudi Foreign Minister and the presumably demented King indicated that Syria end game was discusses. The extraordinary announcement by KSA Foreign Minister about grtting to peace in Syria –was far cry from the earlier Saudi stubborn support for “rebels”. Lavriv would like Saudi support for joint emigree group at negotiatiins, thus minimizing Saudi grouos influence over Mosciw based or Cauro based opposition. Lavrov also met with Jordanian Foreign Minister and the King of Jordan.
These are just small samples of events that resulted in the palace coup. It is worth noting that immediately following the change the meeting held in Egypt changed all the demands of Qatar into “principles”.
At present, it appears that any US attempt at mediation results in some ruffled festhers — more looking like attempt to keep US out, to minimize squabble.
Neicons talk of dissent. Who dissenting from whom? There are MbN supporters still in the Givernment, and the question is — the support of wealthy families not of royal blood. They are a separate story of Saudi Arabia. But any dissent neocon inspired will end up badly for dissidents. What will happen next is subject to a lots of variables. There can be many ups and downs — but the trend is recognizable. The rethinking of GCC countries futures is happening. Iran can wait. This is why the frantic pressure on Trump to do something on Iran. If GCC is nit going to kead it, then US will be pushed into something crazy. As Kissinger said recently, end of war in Syria would be a win for Iran — so the peace can come only if Iran loses something. I gues they are in the search of that something. But without allies ready and able to confront Iran — US will run into many regional obstacles.
Eventually US will recognize that spending majority of time stoking and exploiting dissent is a terrible waste of time, resources and genuine influence.
Thank You very much Bianca… For removing the maze of obfuscation and news sculpting to demonize MbS… Thank you for all the work it must take to keep up with the never ending quest for “Full Spectrum Dominance” and all its twists & turns…
I had been duped by MSN…..!!!!!!