So imagine you’re the king of Saudi Arabia…. you just imposed a ban on demonstrations – you’re terrified that you’re next on the hit list and your phone rings and it is Hillary Clinton. [or pick whatever person you like]…
“Greetings, your excellency”
“You may stop bowing now”
“Thank you – the United States has a sensitive request to make”
“And what is that?”
“Could we get you to give some really useful weapons to the rebels in Eastern Libya…. they’re kind of outmatched, and we know how much you hate Qaddaffi….”
“So let me see if I understand this… you want me to take the weapons I have to defend the Kingdom and send them to the Democratic Freedom Fighters in Benghazi that want to depose and kill the leaders of all the countries in the Middle East, is that right?
“Precisely!”
“Would you mind if we use my friend Osama Bin Laden again like we did when President Reagan wanted to send weapons to Afghanistan?”
“I don’t see a problem with that”….
“What kind of stuff? F16s, tanks, RPGs, machine guns, Stinger Missiles?”
“Could you do that? – we’re kind of running low on supplies”
….
Independent
(It’s worth noting that the Independent is owned by a former KGB officer and quotes absolutely no sources for the theme of the story – and likely has its own motives for trying to create an association betwen the US and the King of Saudi Arabia…. imagine how much a barrel of Russian crude will be worth if Saudi Arabia goes under….)
Notice how fast the King decided to make up Libya’s shortfall. At over a $100 a barrel he should be commended for his “quick response”.
I’m thinking Nobel prize.
And speaking of the Russians and their military buildup – I saw an article the other day with the slant that they weren’t necessarily looking at us but were reacting to the huge military buildup China is fast-tracking.
Remins me of the old Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times.”
China is more of a danger to its immediate neighbors – while they have a huge military, moving them and their equipment anywhere probably is beyond their logistical capabilities – although I wonder if the fleet of container ships might prove useful if they wanted to project force far from home.