Saudi Arabia - The next front in the War on Terror?

This is a highly speculative topic obviously as it is based on circumstance, so don't take it too seriously.
But it was important enough that I felt the need to post it.

Over the last several years I have seen what seemed to be an increase in news stories about Saudi Arabia and how backwards their society and law systems are, and how corrupt the royals are, and so forth.

Even recently I have been subtly influenced by the MSM into making jokes about "liberating Saudi Arabia". I now am aware of this potential manipulation and now I am curious what the plans (if any) are.

Does anyone have any insights about this?
Do you feel we are being led into a type of intervention in this region as a result of extremism/terrorism?

Important facts *Not comprehensive:
#1) Saudi Arabia has a lot of oil.
# 2) They are strict Muslims.
# 3) They have some serious issues vs Israel

I am open to both scenarios whereby the royals are ousted by outside forces, and where the royals are plotting to destroy their own people's heritage in conjunction with outside forces.

Any objections or such are appreciated. Keep it civil.

The U.S. will never go to war with Saudi Arabia if that's where you're getting at.
I don't know why but I have that feeling. Like after 911 only Saudi Nationals were allowed to fly in airspace...

They really aren't strict muslims. Islam, from what I understand, is a very modest religion and they don't prize material things like the west does. Well, Saudi's (for the most part, from what I understand) are very materialistic. Surely you've seen the princes gold cars with diamond encrusted rims.
and.
Dubai

reply to post by kimish



Good points, I don't disagree per se.

I realize how incredibly speculative this is, that is why I put it in this forum.
It is way way way out there.

But let's entertain it momentarily for mental exercise sake.

What form or scope would an "intervention" take?
It doesn't have to be military, there are other forms of pressure that could be applied.

Will it just be a revamped version of what is already going on?

Quasi-black operations whereby the Saudi Secret Police silence anyone they don't like?

Problems are eliminated quietly, etc.

Originally posted by kimish
The U.S. will never go to war with Saudi Arabia if that's where you're getting at.
I don't know why but I have that feeling.

I think most of us have felt that way, and indeed those who have payed close attention probably feel as if Saudi Arabia is untouchable.

But what if this resentment is by design, and intended to lead us into a reckoning of sorts?

Could Saudi Arabia become the 'crown jewel' of the War on Terror?

I realize Almost everything appears contrary to this assessment, but notice I said almost, which means there is indeed room left for this scenario to develop. Highly unlikely it would seem, but a possible eventuality yes.

Originally posted by Happy1
reply to post by muzzleflash

 

saudi co conspirator with us gov't.

I realize that, but the Saudi people don't count into that.

The Saudi Royals would sacrifice their own people if it suited their interests, and also, I wouldn't be surprised if the global elites are willing to sacrifice the Saudi Royals if it suits their machinations as well.

Remember, the US co conspired with Iraq in all sorts of ways, that's well known.
But look what happened there.

reply to post by muzzleflash


goal 80% population killed.

reply to post by muzzleflash


Royal saudi's don't live in saudi arabia - they live in France with wine, women and song.

Not at the moment.
Like Kuwait, the 26 or so million Saudis are dependent on US protection.
There are many corrupt and religious clowns in the world, and this does not equal an invasion.
Otherwise the ANC would have been removed from South Africa by an US invading force (which only took Mandela's party off its terrorist list in 2008, although they also funded them), because the corrupt circus here sometimes beggars belief.

But as a thought experiment and flight of fancy I'd say the West simply places sanctions on Saudi Arabia and its ruling class's military when they don't behave.

Soon a similar Wahabi sect (in the sense of legalism, but not foreign relations) will take power and execute some of the more corrupt and decadent royalty.
Most will repent and be forgiven. Oil wells will be destroyed or sold to enemies of the US.
The monies will be distributed in a more "socialist" way, which means a new elite and army, and some scary weapons.

They won't get together with Iran because those are Shiites, and the animosity with Sunni Wahabis is probably greater than between Catholics and Protestants.

Now what?

The refugees can leave and the rest can go back to herding camels in the desert.

The radicals can provoke a Western response, and when the Muslim holy sites are threatened World War III will break out.

Europe has long opened the gates of Vienna and allowed Wahabism inside.
That will be the European civil war from hell.

Saudi Arabia could be easily destroyed by the US with targeted weapons.
But what to do with fast Islamizing Europe?
One can't just nuke all the Christians between the enemy?
Then Iran would get involved, and probably choose the side of fellow Muslims (no matter how begrudgingly).
Moderate Muslims in the West will suffer greatly.
Westerners in Muslim countries will suffer.

Bam!
I can guess who will win.
That's why Islamists don't want open battle but gradual infiltration.

Anyway, enough fantasy for one evening.

Power relations are complex, and despite Bin Laden and pro-terrorist ideologies on the one hand, Saudi Arabia also has deep roots with US political cartels on the other.
They'll keep funding their Saudi friends (and vice-versa) to chase down those rogues.
Besides, what's a world without bad guys (depending on where you live)?

Ummmmmm........ *ANY* Western Power even joking in a Ha Ha way about occupational control of Mecca and Medina would be suffering really bad judgement to have even made the joke, IMO. Saudi is Saudi and for their own people to sort out if it needs it. No western power, least of all the U.S., needs all 1+ BILLION Muslims pissed at once.

That would about be the size of it, IMHO, if the House of Saud fell and anything remotely Western took control, even temporarily. Thats just my general take on reading and studying a bit on the culture and history...and the statements of the people outside the Saudi Royal Family.

Originally posted by halfoldman

Power relations are complex

Indeed, that is why I opened this can of worms because I was curious what random ATSers think.

Good post thank you for entertaining my supposition.

Originally posted by Happy1
reply to post by muzzleflash

 

Royal saudi's don't live in saudi arabia - they live in France with wine, women and song.

If that is even remotely true, combine it with your other post:

Originally posted by Happy1
reply to post by muzzleflash

 

goal 80% population killed.

And what we have is a real possibility, although seemingly remote and maybe the % is a little overestimated.
But you get the point.

This is just one of a myriad of alternative scenarios.

Originally posted by Wrabbit2000
Ummmmmm........ *ANY* Western Power even joking in a Ha Ha way about occupational control of Mecca and Medina would be suffering really bad judgement to have even made the joke, IMO. Saudi is Saudi and for their own people to sort out if it needs it. No western power, least of all the U.S., needs all 1+ BILLION Muslims pissed at once.

That would about be the size of it, IMHO, if the House of Saud fell and anything remotely Western took control, even temporarily. Thats just my general take on reading and studying a bit on the culture and history...and the statements of the people outside the Saudi Royal Family.

Maybe they already have incredible influence over Mecca and Medina and we just don't realize it in that light due to us missing some pieces of the puzzle?

Maybe they don't control it 100%, but instead can just apply economic and political pressure to force capitulation?

However, let us also bring facets like Israel into this, and the philosophy of Zionism, etc.
There are many components to this highly elaborate set of equations, it's impossible for any one human to grasp in it's entirety especially considering how many secrets or poorly understood things there are.

We aren't just talking about Mecca and Medina after all are we? We are talking about Jerusalem as well...
All these religions...all this instability....
All of the middle eastern nations that have been toppled and fell into chaos, etc.

Also, this topic although speculative, has a historical precedent.

Many times through history, allies were only so temporarily for convenience, and backs were stabbed. It's actually so commonplace in our history books we could predict it with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

Like stated earlier, we aren't privy to a lot of information, and the fog of war hides the schemes of political intrigue.

Although I can see a lot of factors making Saudi an unlikely target, I can also see many conditions that make it ripe and more appealing to a lot of interests.

reply to post by muzzleflash

No, I'm just talking about Mecca and Medina. Mecca specifically, between the two of them. The Saudi Royals took condemnation at various levels around the world in 1991 for having let American boots onto 'sacred sands' in even being as close as they were to the two Holy cities by physical distance.

I don't know if you're religious or not ...but, I think the comparison would be The Ayatollah or Saudi Royal Family ..representing the two extremes of Islam in the world these days, IMO, forcefully taking Vatican City. It wouldn't be nation states anymore, EITHER direction...but each of the Faithful of the whole religion. There are far more sensitive and touchy places than the virtual mixed and open city of Jerusalem, to my thinking.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


I am not sure how this ties into the future of topics like "Global Religion", or "The Fall of the Nation State".

I'll have to think about that for awhile.
So many parallel aspects playing all at once.