Curiouser & Curiouser
Via Holden at First Draft I read a Washington Post article by Robin Wright announcing Saudi Ambassador Abruptly Resigns, Leaves Washington.
I checked with Informed Comment and Needlenose, but found nothing. Laura Rozen at War and Piece only had some speculation that it was something at home.
Prince Turki al-Faisal has only been in the position 15 months, while his predecessor, Prince Bandar bin Sultan stayed for 22 years.
It may be related to Prince Turki’s brother, Prince Saud al-Faisal, Saudi foreign minister, who is ailing. Prince Turki may need to return to deal with the internal squabbles that would arise at his brother’s incapacitation, or to help his brother during the approaching Hajj.
Prince Turki headed Saudi intelligence before being assigned the post in Washington, but he tends to be truly frank, rather than diplomatic, when describing relationships between the US and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis are not happy about the disaster on their doorstep, Iraq, nor unconcerned about the fate of the Sunnis in Iraq. Prince Turki may be too truthful an emissary to deal with the Shrubbery.
3 comments
Bush may be backing the enemies of Saudi Arabia as we thrash about in Iraq. I wonder if that’s why Cheney was summoned to Saudi Arabia a few weeks back?
It looks messier and more complex by the moment and a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be a possibility.
Gathered a few posts on the subject here:
http://rantsfromtherookery.blogspot.com/2006/12/saudi-arabian-iran-conflict-in-future.html
Josh Marshall says it even better:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/011527.php
This is going to be a complete cock-up. They are going to have a regional war before they are done. The best way to limit damage is to get the hell out.