The United States holds all the aces with Saudi Arabia

[GulfCoast66]

Saudi Arabia must have something big on Trump.

If we cut off all military support for SA, which the House should vote to do in January, they would have almost no leverage against us. Their military would grind to a halt without spare parts and technical support. And turn to the Russians or Chinese as trump says they would do? They would have to start over as their crap is totally incompatible with our technology.

And oil? They supply 11% of our oil and besides, oil is sold on the open market and we have huge new sources coming on line or waiting for a slight increase in price to do so. It is not 1973. From a climate change stand point it is all Screwed to hell and back. But those are the facts.

We put the screws to them and they would have a new ‘king’ in 6 months. Or would be rapidly collapsing. Why we favor them over Iran, which is a true threat, does not make sense to me.

It is so apparent that the leverage they have is not on the United States, but Trump. While I want the Russian inquiries to continue, I believe trump is equally as compromised to the Saudis. That whole hands on the glowing orb thing says it all.

The Democratic Party needs to pound this message home. Even some on the right are troubled by our total capitulation to them on the murder issue.

[pecosbob]

1. Of couse they have dirt on Trump

Having dirt on Trump would not begin to explain the U.S.' continued backing of the Sunnis for the last fifty years. Anyone that's ever done business him could probably spill enough dirt on him to see him indicted if they were forced to testify truthfully.

The Bush admin not only did not prosecute the people responsible for 9-11, but they gave their families all rush plane rides home after the fact to protect them from the possible backlash. Cheney was waaay too busy giving hummers to the Saudis and the Russians for access to their oil and gas to ever rock the boat over a few thousand American deaths. Trump sure isn't the first to suck up to the Sunni despots and if there's one thing we know by now, Republican will throw anything or anyone under the bus in for petro-dollars. The Khashoggi killing won't even make them blink.

[MarvinGardens]

2. It is always pointed out that they could harm us by shutting off the oil.

But the what will they do with it, drink it? It is my understanding that their economy is not diversified, though recently they are making efforts to do so.

[GulfCoast66]

4. To finance from what I understand.

They got nothing else.

Unless you consider 7th century theocracy an export item. Which they have for 50 year now.

I say screw them. Treat them like we treat Iran(under President Obama).

[MarvinGardens]

5. It has bothered me how friendly we are with them

since 9/11. It probably should have bothered me before that. I agree with you.

[GulfCoast66]

6. I think the oil embargo still clouds our vision

When they did have us over a barrel.

They no longer hold the US over a barrel. But they do lots of republicans.

[Johnny2X2X]

3. It's about financing Trump

Saudi Arabia gives money to Trump businesses. His businesses come before US interests 100% of the time.

[Iggo]

7. And Saudi Arabia has the Joker.

[bdjhawk]

8. Anyone see shades of Liberace in this photo?!! Haha!!!