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.
December 12, 2006 3 Comments
