Who is America supposed to like better, Israel or Saudi Arabia?

[Philosoraptor]

Or are we to love these two nations equally? bush is always squawking about how we should love and support the democracy of Israel, and he's always holding hands with and kissing the sheiks and princes and kings of Saudi Arabia, definitely NOT a democracy.

Are we to focus our efforts on defending Israel against all it's enemies, or on keeping the Saudis (who attacked us on nine eleven) happy so we can keep the oil spigots gushing?

All the while we sell billions in arms to both sides. Does any of this make any sense to anyone?

[Nucular Terrorist]

1. It's simple

Does any of this make any sense to anyone?

America is literally the best bang-for-your-buck democracy money can buy. They are our masters; we are their loud overweight lapdogs.

[chknltl]

6. Welcome To the DU...and I think I agree with you

welcome to DU Nucular Terrorist... Here is how I see it: bush is an empty suit. (Name even one thing he has managed succsessfully....) I feel karl rove's primary job is keeping the bush monarchy in power, no matter what the cost. I feel cheney's job is to carry out the wishes of Big Oil and the Military Industrial Complex, with the secondary mission of keeping the Saudi Oil princes happy, and the pharmaceutical industry happy. I further think he is allowed to do what he wants with Halliburton as his payoff. Like you say: The best Government money can buy!
Too bad nobody in the bush family evil empire cares one wit about anyone else. We the citizens of this planet are equal fodder in the eyes of these evil bastards.

[David__77]

2. How about cooperative, mutually-beneficial relations with both?

I don't see it as a zero-sum thing. I would hope that the US would respect each nation's sovereignty and pursue peaceful relations and non-interference.

[Philosoraptor]

3. Non-interference is just asking too much isn't it?

A little turning inward and taking care of our own back yard, a little isolationism and a lot less interference would go a long way to making a more peaceful world.

[MessiahRp]

4. I think our role in both should be nothing more than a broker for mideast peace summits

Other than that any business ventures we have in either place should a) never involve military hardware and b) never be a factor in favoring one regime over another.

It's that favortism and distribution of arms that has helped get us into all the shit we're in over there and our support of Israel helps heighten the fear the Iranians and Syrians have about Israel and only accelerates their military build ups.

Rp

[treestar]

5. The Rethugs are total hypocrites

If bringing Democracy to Iraq was a real motivation for them, they'd have attacked Saudi Arabia first.

The kissing of Saudi Arabia's ass is even stranger considering that they have a far stronger Muslim theocracy than Iraq ever had - they even have religious "police." And most of the hijackers were Saudi. The true impulsive reflex for 911 should have been to attack Saudi Arabia.

It just prove that it is all about oil.

[frustrated_lefty]

7. Of course there is no sense.

Very publicly, we back Israel.

Financially, we treat Saudi Arabia like a really good friend.

Publicly, you will NEVER see those two nations in a dispute.

[Raejeanowl]

10. Neither Nation A Real "Friend"

Explanation of our inexplicable and seemingly contradictory policies toward both: EXPEDIENCY.

[Vidar]

8. Can an omnipotent god make a rock so big he/she can't move it?

[Philosoraptor]

9. ..............