Satellite images show that several missile batteries previously deployed to Saudi Arabia, including THAAD batteries and Patriot missiles, have been removed from the area. The images show that the removal happened sometime near the end of August.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby later confirmed that the air defense assets were “redeployed,” but did not provide details. The missiles were at Prince Sultan Air Base, near Riyadh.
Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal was critical of the move, saying the US must not move Patriot missiles out of the kingdom, and saying that the nation needs reassurance of US military commitment.
Faisal said this was a bad time for the US to withdraw missiles, “when Saudi Arabia is the victim of missile attacks and drone attacks, not just from Yemen, but from Iran.”
With the Saudi invasion of Yemen ongoing, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones in retaliation, though these are mostly in southern Saudi Arabia, a fair distance from the US deployment. Iran’s only relation is that the Saudis tend to blame Iran for what the Houthis do, on the grounds that they are both Shi’ite.
The timing of the redeployments may also be significant, coming ahead of new releases of 9/11 documents related to Saudi involvement. The documents, as usual, are trying not to directly implicate the Saudi government in the conclusion, but with Saudis so heavily involved in every stage of the plot, the administration may have decided this was a good time to be less conspicuously providing the Saudis with military support.
Great!
Good. But it would be more enlightening to understand this punishment. Because it is a retaliation, and a decoupling. Since June 2017 palace coup KSA divested itself from funding and ideological support of Islamic-based militancy that advanced US geopolitical interests. MBS was demonized every which way, including being accused of murdering an innocuous journalist. Even though we know who committed the murder, and in whose behalf — we are still acting dumb. The upshot is — Saudi clan structure is behind King and his son, the Crown Prince. Even though one of the clans is the family of the deposed MBN, there is a consensus internally. This allowed the reforms, including Wahhabi establishment. Bottom line, MBS took Saudi Arabia out of geopolitical militancy, opened dialogue with Iran, strengthened ties with Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt.
And the last straw — in July KSA and Egypt were accepted into China-Russia led SCO.
MBS did not start a war on Yemen, his predecessor did. Saudi Arabia cannot get out of the war without a comprehensive settlement, and that would mean US letting go of support for UAE mercenaries in the South, and let go of establishing a proxy beach head in the South in order to control BOTH sides of Bab Al-Mareb Straits.
Saudi Arabia concluded obviously that US was never going to give an inch and nit give Saudis any assurances on the Straits. The control of Straits threatens Saudi and Egyptian trade with Asia, as well as Asia’s to Middle East and Europe.
Once this conclusion has been reached — Saudi Arabia and Egypt joined SCO,, given up on trusting US.
It is great news that US is pulling out. In the surface it is a threat to Saudis. But Saudis do not fear Iran. And Israel cannot start war alone.
It is a good news nonetheless. For as long as we understand the reasons for the withdrawal.
What I am saying is this — Saudi Arabia is seeking security within organization that constitutes the bulk of its commerce. And leaving Israel alone now to fight Iran.
What is significant about Egypt membership?
This is the first member outside Eurasia. This signals that the organization is going global.
Given the magnitude of problems US is facing. It is hard to say if US vindictiveness would go much further. But ME is — whether we like it or not, always going to get an outsized attention. And price for exposing Israel, isolating it against Iran —. will not be forgiven easily. So more actions against Saudi Arabia are not excluded.
So why is Saudi official bemoaning the loss of Patriots and danger from Iran? Because this is what US wants to hear. But at this point — it is all clear to everyone.
Israel worries me, however. It needs crisis, as a number of things are not going well. Particularly, having been pressed on Egyptian interference in Gaza, having to concede on reconstruction, Chinese chocolate, Qatar money, extended fishing zone for Gaza etc.
“MBS is the good guy! ” Get lost you extemporizing muddying of the waters fool.
I have no idea who Bianca really is, but her analysis here in the comments section often surpasses reporting I read from even the most respected journalists.
I believe she is stating MBS is just not person the western media portrays. I can certainly believe that.
I also suppose that “good guy” or “bad guy” are relative terms when referencing Middle Eastern monarchies. I doubt ANYONE at any level of power in modern Saudi Arabia could be even remotely considered a “good guy”.
I’ll second that.. The lady is not for burning!
No biggie… Just buy an S – 400 battery from the Russians.
http://oneworld.press/?module=articles&action=view&id=2220
The Rusrael Alliance.