What do you guys think of Saudi Arabia?

[SerbPVO]

Friend or foe?

[stateofequilibrium]

Neither. It's like France, trying to play both sides to the middle.

[fantassin]

^^^

Hilarious !


rofl

[UoUo]

Friend or foe?

Foe.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

It cannot be all that bad, they get a lot of sun and the beaches go on for miles and don't forget Wafa Bin Laden :hug:

[usa320]

I think saudi arabia is in a really hard place.

They WANT to help the US as much as they can to fight terrorists, as Al Qaeda is just a big threat to them as us, if not more so, but they have to do it covertly, because the US and the war on terror is widely unpopular within the saudi population.

Saudi arabia IS helping, we just dont hear about it.

[Pille1234]

The Saudis are playing Mr. Nice Guy and are supposed to be on our side. In fact they finance more or less overt terrorists or terror preachers all over the world. The royals spend a lot of money for radical relgious organizations in order to get away with their own decadent dictatorship. On international level they have decent position while, at the same time, they tell their own people that israel is behind the rebells and killings in Sudan.
But the worst thing of all is, that Mr "With-us-or-against-us" George Bush is letting them get away with their two-facedness. That's a real shame.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

I think saudi arabia is in a really hard place.

They WANT to help the US as much as they can to fight terrorists, as Al Qaeda is just a big threat to them as us, if not more so, but they have to do it covertly, because the US and the war on terror is widely unpopular within the saudi population.

Saudi arabia IS helping, we just dont hear about it.
Man are you playing the party line, these f*ckers hate us with all their heart just wake up to it.

[Moledet]

Decide alone:
http://www.memri.org/saudiarabia.html
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S1

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Decide alone:
http://www.memri.org/saudiarabia.html
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S1
Oh **** Moldet bad call memrislur.org the least quotable ME news site after Al Jeezera.

[sierraone]

In my opinion saudi Arabia is the root of all this evil, terrorism, inflirtration of Islam in Europe and the rest of the world and financing wars against other religions. Africa is next. Watch this space...

[Moledet]

Decide alone:
http://www.memri.org/saudiarabia.html
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S1
Oh **** Moldet bad call memrislur.org the least quotable ME news site after Al Jeezera.
Heh, that's nonsense.
If you'd check the site you'll see that they don't just say **** about arabs, they also put the good stuff that they say/do (for example the donation to the Tsunami victims).
All they do is taking reports from the Arabian TV and the Arabian newspapers, they don't write the news, they just translate them.

BTW, Egypt because of MEMRI decided to censore fanatic oppinions on TV.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Decide alone:
http://www.memri.org/saudiarabia.html
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S1
Oh **** Moldet bad call memrislur.org the least quotable ME news site after Al Jeezera.
Heh, that's nonsense.
If you'd check the site you'll see that they don't just say **** about arabs, they also put the good stuff that they say/do (for example the donation to the Tsunami victims).
All they do is taking reports from the Arabian TV and the Arabian newspapers, they don't write the news, they just translate them.

BTW, Egypt because of MEMRI decided to censore fanatic oppinions on TV.
I just checked todays memri.org front page and guess what its the pick of all the bad news from the Middle East, I have been following its Israeli section for a while and its crap, its got to be the worst Israeli news page after the JDL's and it is ****e.

[SHAM]

Saudi Arabia hates us but tolerates us as we are the source of its wealth. i.e. they sell there oil to us. If they could have there money without comunicating with us in anyway they would prefer that. AlQaeda is only a threat to the house of saud because the house of saud is supported by the states. And equally the house of saud would not exist unless it was supported by states. Quite simply its a fine balance.
Friend or Foe? It is both and neither p-)

[FallenAngel]

In my opinion saudi Arabia is the root of all this evil, terrorism, inflirtration of Islam in Europe and the rest of the world and financing wars against other religions. Africa is next. Watch this space...

That would follow since Mecca is in Saudi Arabia and is the root of ALL Islam, both the peaceful and extremist kinds.

;)

[XTC]

For decades the saudis have spent billions of dollars to establish mosques and islamic fighters across the planet including North America and Europe, where wahabism is taught... :fork:

[Moledet]

Decide alone:
http://www.memri.org/saudiarabia.html
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S1
Oh **** Moldet bad call memrislur.org the least quotable ME news site after Al Jeezera.
Heh, that's nonsense.
If you'd check the site you'll see that they don't just say **** about arabs, they also put the good stuff that they say/do (for example the donation to the Tsunami victims).
All they do is taking reports from the Arabian TV and the Arabian newspapers, they don't write the news, they just translate them.

BTW, Egypt because of MEMRI decided to censore fanatic oppinions on TV.
I just checked todays memri.org front page and guess what its the pick of all the bad news from the Middle East, I have been following its Israeli section for a while and its crap, its got to be the worst Israeli news page after the JDL's and it is ****e.
Well, they report only about few subjects, not about everything. They won't report you about a festival in saudi arabia or something like that, they track only few subjects and unfortunately, the people in their media has only bad stuff to say.
Israel is not close to be as corrupted and fanatical as this countries, so there isn't much to report about, about Israel they mostly report about plans to fight terrorism or oppinions about antisemitism/terrorism.

Anyway, you can't say that the videos are a fake.

[Jedburgh]

The Saudis are not our friends, but they are not outright enemies - although a significant proportion of the Saudi populace - and a few members of the royal family - hate the US. Although the government in general does cooperate with us on terrorism issues, it is undeniable that there are elements within the government that still work against us. Its a real complex split-personality case with that country.

But, personally, having spent more than a little time in-country, I don't care too much for those bastards.

Saudi Arabia: Terrorist Financing Issues (http://www.fas.org/man/crs/RL32499.pdf)

Saudi Arabia: Who are the Islamists? (http://www.icg.org//library/documents/middle_east___north_africa/iraq_iran_gulf/31_saudi_arabia_backgrounder.pdf)

Saudi Internal Security: A Risk Assessment - Terrorism and the Security Services (http://www.csis.org/burke/saudi21/sis_ariskassessment.pdf)

Saudi National Security: Military and Security Services - Challenges and Developments (http://www.csis.org/burke/saudi21/sns_military.pdf)

Saudi Military Forces and Development - Challenges and Reforms (http://www.csis.org/burke/saudi21/saudimilforces.pdf)

Can Saudi Arabia Reform Itself? (http://www.crisisweb.org//library/documents/middle_east___north_africa/iraq_iran_gulf/28_can_saudi_arabia_reform_itself_web.pdf)

[fantassin]

I would say the Saudis are good clients for arms sellers around the world and that most western countries are guilty in that area.

No terrorism talks when it comes to big $$$$

[PatricVadec]

Friend or foe?

In my opinion they are friend but friend that ....u can not trust for ever. :(

[Ayura]

A very beautiful place....oh wait sorry, is politics missing from this post ;) lol hehe

[Nizark]

Personally, I would have preferred to use our cruise missiles on their madrassas and useless religious schools which only preach hatred and have no educational value whatsoever, and the royal family's palaces, instead of Iraq.
The problem is that wahabbi islam and mecca and medina are there, so every muslim on the planet would go ape**** and this crap would never end.
Sadly, we just have to take what SA has right now, because the alternative is so much worst. Regime change isn't exactly an option, because a wholesale overthrow of the royal family would more than likely bring about a extremist regime who is hostile to the west and controls the oil.

[Ayura]

Personally, I would have preferred to use our cruise missiles on their madrassas and useless religious schools which only preach hatred and have no educational value whatsoever, and the royal family's palaces, instead of Iraq.
The problem is that wahabbi islam and mecca and medina are there, so every muslim on the planet would go ape**** and this crap would never end.
Sadly, we just have to take what SA has right now, because the alternative is so much worst. Regime change isn't exactly an option, because a wholesale overthrow of the royal family would more than likely bring about a extremist regime who is hostile to the west and controls the oil.


Sir, please tell me what is educational value? Have you ever been to these schools and bare witnessed what goes on? And do all the schools preach hatred really?

Seriously, do some research before you say stuff like that :).

[Red]

Like Jedburgh said,they are not our friends but they are also not outright enemies.The saudis are bad news but they are very good at masking it.And like fantassin said when it comes to big $$$, nothing like terrorism exist just $$$

[CG51]

enemy, their religon mandates that they convert all to islam or kill them if they refuse...they hate America because it is based on a christian God...they hate or values and way of life...i've been over there and it is very hot and always this orange sand that gets into everything, that place is a ****hole...

[Laworkerbee]

beNder


enemy, their religon mandates that they convert all to islam or kill them if they refuse...they hate America because it is based on a christian God...they hate or values and way of life...i've been over there and it is very hot and always this orange sand that gets into everything, that place is a ****hole...

Not true, Islam does not mandate Christians or Jews convert to Islam...it only mandates that pay a tithe or tax. Jesus is a highly respected Prophet to Muslims

[Laworkerbee]

beNder


enemy, their religon mandates that they convert all to islam or kill them if they refuse...they hate America because it is based on a christian God...they hate or values and way of life...i've been over there and it is very hot and always this orange sand that gets into everything, that place is a ****hole...

Not true, Islam does not mandate Christians or Jews convert to Islam...it only mandates that pay a tithe or tax. Jesus is a highly respected Prophet to Muslims

[Laworkerbee]

Sorry double post

:cantbeli:

[Charlie 356]

Friend for now.

First, of all, polical Islam is different from religious Islam, because the Islam that might work in Egypt may not work in Syria, and what may work in Qatar may not work in Iran. The origianl Wahhabism that was founded by the House of Saud was intended to to be a socially conservative and political quiet envisionment of Islam. If the Wahhabis, led by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, turned a blind eye to the royal family's security and economic relationship with the "infidel" United States, the rulers were willing to trade control of the culture and education to the Wahhabi religious establishment. However, the Wahhabis had to give their endorsement, by way of religious edicts.

But with the explosive population growth of the Saudi people, and religious political radicals fleeing Egypt, neo-Wahhabism set in. Neo-wahhabism, similar in some ways to American neo-conservatism, is simply a way of life for some people. It is true that Saudi-financed religious schools during the 80's and 90's in Pakistan are often criticized as being breeding grounds for terrorists and other jihadists. But the neo-wahhabism there is meant to improve the social welfare of the people in that region, not neccesarily to build terrorists.

I'm not saying that the Saudis are the greatest people alive. But in close detail, you can see how they were simply trying to perserve their relationship with the United States, even it meant conceding some stuff. Plus, as I said before, political Islam is different than what terrorists are actually preaching. Even though terrorists define their agenda under the term jihad, what they are actually trying to achieve is nothing other than a political / military iniative. By grouping it under a "religious" banner, especiallly a religion of many disenfranchised people, they can attempt to rally more people to their cause.

There's so much more I could say about this, and I'm a Christian by the way, but Middle East politics and its religions are far more complicated than I think some people realize.

Personally, I think rather than trying to force the Saudis hand by threatenig them, we should attempt to use our civil affairs capability more effectively. As some parts of the world have seen, our efforts in aiding the Tsunami victims has paid off because its hard for people to hate the U.S. or its allies when they're helping you out.

[ramy]

Friend or foe?

FOE.

They sponsor terrorists.

[callous]

I would figure they are like most places. Some of thier people love us and some hate us. I remember a show about Saudis coming to America for college. They love the freedom they have while they are here but, don't want it back home.

[CG51]

beNder


enemy, their religon mandates that they convert all to islam or kill them if they refuse...they hate America because it is based on a christian God...they hate or values and way of life...i've been over there and it is very hot and always this orange sand that gets into everything, that place is a ****hole...

Not true, Islam does not mandate Christians or Jews convert to Islam...it only mandates that pay a tithe or tax. Jesus is a highly respected Prophet to Muslims

bra, im pretty sure its written in the koran that you give the infidels a chance to convert to islam or be killed if they refuse...i guess i should double check before i post though, huh? ;)

[Nizark]

Personally, I would have preferred to use our cruise missiles on their madrassas and useless religious schools which only preach hatred and have no educational value whatsoever, and the royal family's palaces, instead of Iraq.
The problem is that wahabbi islam and mecca and medina are there, so every muslim on the planet would go ape**** and this crap would never end.
Sadly, we just have to take what SA has right now, because the alternative is so much worst. Regime change isn't exactly an option, because a wholesale overthrow of the royal family would more than likely bring about a extremist regime who is hostile to the west and controls the oil.


Sir, please tell me what is educational value? Have you ever been to these schools and bare witnessed what goes on? And do all the schools preach hatred really?

Seriously, do some research before you say stuff like that :).


Educational value...science, math, geography, THE OUTSIDE WORLD. I take it you have been there

[Kilgor]

There was a cartoon.

"friend or foe "

Neither.. im your (drug) dealer with a syringe full of oil.

The world unfortunately needs a brutal but stable government and the saudi's oil supply to work. They have been sponsoring terrorism, but a overthrow of the government like Iran would be far far worse.

[DPGLAW]

I used to think they were a friend but unfortunately, and I mean unfortunately because an ally in that **** hole we call the middle east would of, and had been in the past, an great benefit. Now though, they are a definite enemy, tehy most likely paid for a good portion of 9/11/01 among other attacks. They are the worst king of enemy, the kind that pretends to be a friend for the cameras and the news but then turns around and pays the terroists to attack us and then pays the familiesof those suicide bombers that die attack . We just need to stop pussy footing around and make it clear to them that the bullsh*t has to stop now, they need to immediately arrest and HAND OVER any terrorists (both just suspected terrorists and those which are known to be terrorists by our intelligence services) and on top of that they should allow any investigators from the US come in to pour over their books and those of muslim charities so perhaps we can track the monies from before the attacks. They would not allow this after 9/11 but now I think we should not give them a choice, as the saying goes- "It's time to **** or get off the pot" We need to let them know that if the won't comply completely and give us the unfettered access we want they will be added to the state departments terrorist list,

I know this will never happen but I think that if we bluffed and threatened those actions if we don't get those things I listed above, they would probably do it to keep the support and protection we give them