recently on DU I commented that men seemed afraid of Saudi men

[ensho]

I had never looked at Saudi men from that perspective before the recent thread I posted.

now here is another indication of the power of the Saudi men.


http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JK13Df02.html


Saudis step into Pakistan's quagmire


Washington, in an attempt to generate mass support for the United States-led "war on terror", helped plan the rise to power of liberal, secular political parties in Pakistan, culminating in the installation early this year of the administration led by President Asif Ali Zardari of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

The idea was backed by economic packages for the uplift of the local population and military aid to strengthen the Pakistan army in its fight against militancy.

Within nine months the whole plan has fallen flat; the pro-Western coalition government is visibly divided and not ready to formulate any official strategy on the "war on terror" and it has ceded all responsibility in this regard to the military.

In response, General David Petraeus, the new head of US Central Command with responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has turned to Saudi Arabia to act as an middleman between Washington and Pakistan.

Previously, Washington dealt directly with former president General Pervez Musharraf. A London-based Pakistani diplomatic told Asia Times Online on condition of anonymity, "All aid packages will be routed through Saudi Arabia as a result of Pakistan's performance in the 'war on terror'. The Saudis will deal directly with Pakistan to resolve disputes, and that's why Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Ashfaq Kiani visited Saudi Arabia. These kinds of visits will be seen frequently in the near future."

The envoy continued, "You can see a new campaign emerging of fatwas against terrorism . This debate will be enhanced by Saudi Arabia for damage control in Muslim countries as well as to safeguard Western interests."

-snip-

The difference between the Saudi approach and Washington's is that the Saudis are tolerant of the conservative student militias and their tribal brand of Islam, while Washington is not. On the issue of al-Qaeda, the Saudis are as tough, if not tougher, than the Americans as they feel more threatened than the West. Nonetheless, the Saudis are on talking terms with al-Qaeda, directly and through various mediators, which has enabled them to resolve the problem of militancy within the kingdom, which only three years ago faced a monster that threatened to destabilize the monarchy.
-snip-
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Saudi men and neo con men are joined at the hip

are Pakistani men ready for this?

[JDPriestly]

1. So, the Saudis are going to hand out "our" aid to Pakistan?

Now, again, could you tell me how many of the 9/11ers were Saudis?

I hope Obama changes this one. Obama should be able to deal directly with the Pakistani government.

This stinks. Can we spell c o r r u p t i o n? Do the Saudis get a slice of our aid to Pakistan in this deal? Say a handling fee?

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Here's what I think -