Saudi Arabia - US troops to pull out - soon


  • Below is an abridged version of the following website/article -
    http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/5633005.htm

    Widespread Arab opposition to the war is putting intense pressure on the pro-American monarchy that governs Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials publicly deny that they have allowed the U.S. military to use the air base for anything more than enforcing no-fly zones.

    The decision is not surprising because having combat troops in Saudi Arabia has a downside for the United States. Osama bin Laden has used the presence of non-Muslim troops in an important land of Islam to rationalize attacks on U.S. targets around the world. Before the war, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the defeat of Saddam would let the United States “change the presence levels of American troops throughout that region.”

    The United States will continue to maintain Army forces in Kuwait, a Navy base in Bahrain and air operations in Qatar and possibly the United Arab Emirates.

    The United States wants to help the Saudi royal family calm the anti-American mood among Saudi citizens. Saudi Arabia is an important Middle Eastern ally that controls a fourth of the world’s oil supply and is in position to influence some of its more radical Arab neighbors.

    The Saudis chose to quietly help a powerful ally by granting the request while, at the same time, publicly opposing the war. Saudi officials floated an unsuccessful peace initiative days after the war started.

    My question is …
    How will the Saudi royal family (over 5000, but how many have money, power and privilege?) change the country’s form of government? the royals want to keep power, but the mullahs and people want a say in their country’s government.

    Thoughts?


  • My thought is that it won’t change. :(

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