Fueling recent reports on tensions between US and Saudi officials, high-ranking Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former intelligence chief, spoke to Saudi media, telling them that the kingdom feels “let down” by the US over lack of American actions on the Saudis’ security struggles.
The security issues center around the Yemen War, which the Saudis have been leading for the last seven years. The recent escalations have seen cross-border attacks between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, as well as Yemen and the UAE.
While the US made some effort to support the Saudis and UAE, the more specific counsel is to speed up a deal to end the war. The Saudis appeared to expect the US to somehow shield them from this blowback, something the US didn’t, and likely couldn’t, do.
Just as the Saudis are becoming aware of the lack of US omnipotence, the US are raising other issues, like the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi by a Saudi kill team, and more recently, trying to get the Saudis to increase oil production as Russia’s war in Ukraine raises prices.
It’s well documented how mad the Saudis get to hear about Khashoggi, and they seem to want to show their displeasure by not delivering oil increases to the US. This is only adding to the tensions, and to questions from both sides about how viable the historical partnership is anymore.
Jeez, don’t go starting wars, wars are risky and can have unpredictable outcomes. I hope the US is done with suborning genocide in Yemen. Plus the Saudis don’t pick up the phone when Joe calls. So honestly screw them.
Here’s where you and I agree, John.
on the other hand, trump and trump jr always pick up the phone when the saudis call
They don’t seem very bright.
I’ve got some choice advice for Mister Bone Saw, but it’s not appropriate here.
F the Saudis and their fearless leader,
Mohammed bin “Off with Their Heads” Salman Al Saud
Garbage in — garbage out. This is the state of our understanding of Saudi Arabia, Gulf as a whole and the relationship with US.
First things first: Saudi-US relatiinship prior to the rule of King Salman was the one of total domination by US, even at the ecpense of Saudi economy.
The powerful Allegiance Council, the rruling clans of Arabia, supported this orientation. With King Salman the first indication was there that Saudis were looking for balance.
US was at the time working with the Interior minister — Mohammed Bin Nayef, on ISIS project. He was the head of US creation, Syria committe. The involvement of Wahhabi establishment, Saudi intellugence, money. arms — in organizing rapid and strategic ISIS takeover of Sunni strongholds, Mosul, Sinjar, Faluja, Kirkuk, Raqqa, Palmyra — is well known. The goal was control of Suni Iraq and Syria.
The height of psdtnrrship was removing crown prince Muqrin after 2 months, and installing MBN to the job.
He immediatelly started war in Yemen. The deal was that US would belp Saudis conquer Yemen, with Saudis and US controlling Bab Al-Manded Straits, thus controling all Asia-Europe bound trade.
But with Trump comming to power and Russia in Syria, ISIS project ran into problems. Knowing that ISIS was losing, Trump wanted to minimize Russian win by declarring war on ISIS, shocking Saudi Arabia that expected US to continue Obsma.charade of killing ISIS “leaders”, while allowing ISIS vroeth and frade in oil wih PKK Kurds.
Trump consolation prize – accuse Iran dealing Qatar of bring ISIS sponsor,
The rest is known, MBN was removed by a court coup in June 2017, and Ming’s son MBS came to power. The new Crown Prince asdumed a the duties of running the government. US ally MBN was removed from ALL functions. MBS restructured Wahhabi leadership and money no longer went into ISIS and other Salafi movements.
MBS coup was supported by Allegiance Council.
Ties with US frayed. Ties with UAE initialy frayed. Yemen project was no linger alligned with US . And will not end until Saudis get an upper hand in Yemen — nit necessarily controlling all. And US prevented from having a foothold in Yemen and threatening Saudis, Sudan and Egilt by controlling the Straits. US did everything to undermine MBS. The Kadhogi executioners were all from former ruler MBN internal affairs. As it threatened the Kingdom, Allegiance Council approved MBS destructuring of all security agencies.
Fast forward. Both the Kingdom, UAE and Qatar became more independent from US, and increased ties with Russia. UAE has signed a cooroduction deal for Russian fifth gen planes in UAE. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar last August joined China-Russia led Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Which immediately connected old members Turkey and Iran to former adversaries Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
There is a new world order forming in the Middle East, or as China calls it — West Asia.
US will not easily give up on the Straits. Unfortunately there are no equivalent to Kurds in that part of world. Could have helped North Yemen, Houthis. But no — they are Shia!
Middle East and many others are still getting Russian wheat and other food production. Africa can buy as well, and those that do not — have inly themselves to blame.
As for US allies. Euro fell to its lowest exchange value in history. So is Swiss Feank and Yapanese Yen.
While Rubke just reached a historic high against dollar.
Russia serms to be obliging. We wanted a ling war — and Russia is grinding the battlefield with snail’s pace. With no peace negotiation, and Ukraine runnung our of soldiers due to emigration, desertion and battlefield — iis there a plan B?
After the Saudis killed Jamal Khashoggi, their relationship with Russia quickly improved.
Putin was very impressed with their assassination of a journalist in a foreign country.
“UAE has signed a cooroduction deal for Russian fifth gen planes in UAE”
That is only a wet Russian dream, UAE hasn’t agreed to produce or even buy a Russian jet!
As of today, Russia is still struggling with its domestic production of the Su-57…
Most likely it will never be produced in any quantity, btw the US is developing its sixth gen fighter jet.