‘We Misled You’: How the Saudis Are Coming Clean on Funding Terrorism

Politico

On my most recent trip to Saudi Arabia, I was greeted with a startling confession. In the past, when we raised the issue of funding Islamic extremists with the Saudis, all we got were denials. This time, in the course of meetings with King Salman, Crown Prince Nayef, Deputy Crown Mohammad Bin Salman and several ministers, one top Saudi official admitted to me, “We misled you.” He explained that Saudi support for Islamic extremism started in the early 1960s as a counter to Nasserism—the socialist political ideology that came out of the thinking of Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser—which threatened Saudi Arabia and led to war between the two countries along the Yemen border. This tactic allowed them to successfully contain Nasserism, and the Saudis concluded that Islamism could be a powerful tool with broader utility.

Under their new and unprecedented policy of honesty, the Saudi leadership also explained to me that their support for extremism was a way of resisting the Soviet Union, often in cooperation with the United States, in places like Afghanistan in the 1980s. In this application too, they argued, it proved successful. Later it was deployed against Iranian-supported Shiite movements in the geopolitical competition between the two countries.

But over time, the Saudis say, their support for extremism turned on them, metastasizing into a serious threat to the Kingdom and to the West. They had created a monster that had begun to devour them. “We did not own up to it after 9/11 because we feared you would abandon or treat us as the enemy,” the Saudi senior official conceded. “And we were in denial.”

Well, I guess they found Jesus and have begun to repent? Ha no, this is probably more likely to the House passing the 9/11 bill that will allow US citizens to sue their government for terrorism. Now they claim to be on course to modernize their society. I personally hope that is the truth. But I won't believe it until they stop treating half the population(women) as non citizens with a horribly oppressed lack of rights. Will this confession earn forgiveness and lead to a brighter future? Only time will tell.

Saudi Arabia Admits To John Kerry That It Created ISIS... But There Is A Twist
Congress passes bill letting 9/11 victims sue Saudi Arabia, in face of veto threat

On course to modernise their society?

Not a chance of that happening, it might just lead to a rebellion and that would not be a good thing for those holding the power.

The Arabs, it appears, love their servitude just as much as the rest of western society.

Now they have admitted to their sponsorship of terrorists, I say we go in and relieve them of their position and bring about a true democracy to this oil rich nation.

Should have bolded this part...

support for extremism was a way of resisting the Soviet Union, often in cooperation with the United States

a reply to: Cobaltic1978

I say we go in and relieve them of their position and bring about a true democracy to this oil rich nation.

I say leave them alone and let them reap their whirlwind . In fact this may be why they are coming clean .They need help from others because their plan of a pipe line to Europe by breaking up Syria seems like a doomed adventure now . They sure as heck didn't make any friends along the way to today . Other then maybe the Pentagon / CIA and big banking .

a reply to: the2ofusr1

You forgot Israel as well, the House of Saud, seem very friendly with the Zionist regime in Israel.

I was being sarcastic about going into SA, I don't think we should be getting involved in the ME at all, but my country are assisting them to shell the living day lights out of their neighbours, Yemen. Although they claim any military presence in SA is purely on an observational basis, but they would say that, wouldn't they?

a reply to: worldstarcountry
It sounds like the US has made a secret deal not to throw them under the bus if they take responsibility for ISIS, which it has publicly come to light was created under the current administration. I imagine they may be tricked into admitting a part in 9/11 for the same reason, to once again avoid linking America to the conspiracy.

I suppose when it comes to modernization it depends on whether you mean the upper class or the lower. I have met a few Saudis, including one claimed Royal whom my friend introduced me to. We went to a bar and he bought us $700 worth of scotch, so I am wont to believe it.

a reply to: SargonThrall

Here is what they are stating thus far, from the article:

Riyadh views modernization as the vehicle through which the Saudi state, at long last, can confront and defeat extremism, foster a dynamic private sector and master the looming economic challenges. The Saudi program includes:

- New limits on the ability of the religious police to arrest dissidents.
-Purges of extremists from the government and greater efforts to monitor their influence in security institutions.
-The appointment of new religious leaders to counter Islamic extremism on theological grounds.
-The transformation of the world Muslim League—a key Saudi arm for supporting Islamic movements abroad—by the appointment of a new and a decision to stop supporting Islamist madrassas abroad.

Well, if they are serious about that part I underlined, that would have a very real and serious impact on deescalating radicalization into the 21st century.

S+F

About Time. The Muslim Modernist project has been abandoned in that region for far too long. I hope they are successful in this endeavor.

The US congress approved US citizens suing Saudi for 9/11

Saudi is pissed, they were promised by America officials they'd never been held accountable for their ''dual'' role in the orchestrated attack.

Now that Saudi are being left out to dry, they're going to come clean on the US's involvement.

This is a shot across the bow to the US, the truth will come out if they don't stick to the original agreement.