Yeah, we knew this then.
Maybe the question isn’t what are we going to do - the question is why haven’t we done anything.
this post was submitted on 25 May 2024
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Well since the highest court has no issues with being bribed out in the open I'd put money on some hands being greased.
Because they're our other "one ally in the region."
USA has the worst, most useless, most toxic "allies"
You know the reason. Money
shocked_pikachu_face.png
Real politik.
Saudi Arabia is a useful ally to have in the region, a fellow enemy of Iranian ally Russia, and makes the US less reliant on Israel. That's a win-win.
Elements in the Saudi government may have helped orchestrate 9/11, but after 2003 attacks in Saudi Arabia they drastically and often violently curtailed the influence of the Wahhabi establishment. The aristocracy clamped down on the power of the clergy. They also offered significant and valuable intelligence cooperation with the US
So if elements in the Saudi government did help orchestrate 9/11, it's easier to sweap it under the rug. There are more important issues to worry about.
Twenty years ago? Other decisions should have been made and not made.
Now? The world and the regime in Saudi Arabia has changed.
I agree with what you're saying, but also the reality of Saudi Arabia being a good ally is changing rapidly in the last couple years.
They aren't standing up to Russia. They aren't moderating Israel (potential normalization with the Saudis was likely the proximate cause of the October 6th attacks -- which of course entirely achieved the goal of ending that normalization). They're pledging to "extract every molecule" of fossil fuels to keep the world hooked even while their own internal development clearly shifts towards transition.
I'm not sure the relationship is paying off for the US. Maybe that's why this topic is being stirred back up -- to get a bit more leverage against them. The Saudis seem to be VERY concerned with the kayfabe of being a functional, modern state (in spite of the fact that they're a lunatic theocratic monarchy), so this kind of dirty laundry may be of influence to them if it really is undeniable.
I don't envy the folks in the diplomacy trades who have to consider and interpret all these factors and come to a real conclusion about them.
I'll bet a lot of the people in the trenches of politics also know. And pushing the green transition also helps reduce dependence on countries like SA. So it looks to be a win across the board.
If we can now reduce the plastic usage in society and switch that out to more sustainable products. Back to glass, tin cans, and paper.
The almighty petrodollar would be my guess.
Between them and israel, US really has great allies in the middle east lol
These guys really know how to play that lobby game and domestic security apparus appears to be fine with it.
?
Has no one seen the movie?