In 2015, Saudi Arabia's new Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman sent the Kingdom's armies to Yemen. In 2017, shortly before usurping the position of Crown Prince, Salman organized a blockade on little Qatar, who had dared defy the Kingdom's geopolitical priorities.Both were bold moves fraught with risk. The Yemen war was meant to roll … Continue reading Saudi Arabia Tries The Waters Of Retrenchment
Why Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Want Those 28 Pages Declassified
The answer, it may seem, is simple: yet another cover-up, yet another scandal brushed under the rug, more nasty men in the halls of power getting away with the terrible things they do. Such a narrative gives us a simple good vs. bad tale of morality, with evil Saudi princes laughing behind closed doors. As … Continue reading Why Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Want Those 28 Pages Declassified
More than meets the eye: The Saudis aren’t going into Syria just because they hate Assad
As if the war in Syria weren't worrisome enough, Saudi Arabia is now contemplating open intervention to match the Russians. Beyond the obvious implications of Saudi special forces shooting down Russian jets, with all the madness that would entail, is an essential question: why? Why would Saudi Arabia, long one of the few quiet, reliably … Continue reading More than meets the eye: The Saudis aren’t going into Syria just because they hate Assad
Saudi Arabia vs. Iran: The Deeper Story
There are other shorter articles, and they do a fine job of covering the basics. If that's all you're looking for, click on the link and consider yourself well-rewarded. But if you desire more than tidbits, read on. Rapid review! Saudi Arabia and Iran are quite angry at one another. More specifically, the elites of … Continue reading Saudi Arabia vs. Iran: The Deeper Story
Why the Islamic State Must Provoke a Civil War In Saudi Arabia
To secure itself, the Islamic State must destroy its nearest Sunni Arab rivals, and Saudi Arabia is a tempting target.
The Folly of King Salman: Saudi Arabia’s Impossible War in Yemen
King Salman is risking much of his kingdom's finite power in his war in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia Is More Hosed by the Day: Why Riyadh is Running Out of Options
The Saudi monarchy is running out of time to save itself. Their next moves may decide if they live or die.
The Middle East’s Cold War Heats Up: (Or, The Geopolitics of Why Saudi Arabia Is Bombing Yemen)
Last week, Saudi Arabia went to war in Yemen. But you thought that was America's job. Here's why it isn't anymore.