World Political Blog » Saudi Arabia

US proposes a huge amount of arms for Saudi Arabia, to counteract the growing power of Iran

Ashish — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:37:35 +0000

The United States is proposing a huge sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia. This is a sale that is worth around $60 billion, and primarily comprises of new F-15 fighter aircraft, military helicopters (both attack and troop transport helicopters). These are meant to increase the firepower of the Saudi Arabian forces, and also replace the older fighters in the Saudi arsenal. Saudi Arabia remains a strategic ally of the United States in the region, and given the problems both these countries have with Iran, this sale is meant to also convey a message to Iran. There is a long standing confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia (and several other Gulf states that are on the side of the Saudis). Iran is a leader of the Shias, while almost every country in the region is ruled by Sunnis. Further, Iran is ruled by a theocracy, while other countries are ruled by monarchies, or by a chosen few; and none of them would like to see an increase in the influence of the militant Islam in their countries (which will threaten the current rulers).
The strategy seemingly being followed by the United States along with the Gulf countries is to increase the military might of each of these countries, both in terms of offense and defense (with increased counter-missile technologies). This is meant to convey to Iran that even though it would gain some strategic increase through its nuclear program, it will have to face more powerful military neighbors, all of which are tied together with the United States, and even more surprisingly, with Israel. In the face of a common enemy such as Iran, even Israel and the Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait will make common cause.
The deal is currently making its way through the United States Congress, but there is very little chance that the deal will get stopped; the strategic imperative in such cases is very high and the push to make this deal through all approvals is very high. One can expect that in some time, these arms will start to make their way into the Saudi Arabian arsenal.

What treatment will Nawaz Sharif now get in Saudi Arabia ?

Ashish — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:25:30 +0000

You got to say this for General Musharraf; sometimes he actually does carry out the steps that he says that he will take. A perfect example is the treatment meted out to Nawaz Sharif when he reached Pakistan. Musharraf and the regime threatened that he will be arrested and deported, and that is exactly what happened. And to make the humiliation complete, the 2 time former Prime Minister of Pakistan was treated as a common criminal in many instances. Refer this article (Sharif humiliated before deportation):

The four-hour stay of former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif on home soil was a saga of humiliation during which low-ranking police personnel repeatedly shoved and jeered at him, according to a Pakistani journalist, who travelled with the PML-N leader from London. Sharif, who had arrived very confident was soon depressed and bewildered at the shabby treatment accorded to him and virtually broke down at one point.
Sharif was treated with total contempt at the Islamabad airport when low-ranking police officers were sent to talk to him. A visibly depressed and unaided Nawaz was aggressively pushed inside an old bus parked outside the VIP Rawal Lounge and shifted to the plane and sent into exile. As the bus headed towards the PIA plane, about 100 commandos also started running after the bus laughing and cracking jokes, and returned only when the plane had taken off.

Not something that would gladden the heart of any supported of the Sharif faction of the Pakistani Muslim League. Of course, as news of this treatment spreads, it could create problems for Gen Musharraf with more public resentment.
However, the Saudi royal family now believes that Nawaz Sharif broke an agreement that he had made with Musharraf (with the Saudi’s being one part of the deal). The deal was that Nawaz Sharif would stay away from Pakistan until he had completed 10 years in exile, something that he obviously has not completed (7 years is the count). And from all public accounts, it seems that the Saudi royals had actually tried to convince Nawaz to stick to the deal, and he refused to listen to them.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received a “cold” reception from the Saudi government when he reached Jeddah and has apparently been barred from taking part in any political activity for the remaining period of his exile. It now appears that Sharif might have to spend next three years in Jeddah where he may be held incommunicado, the reports said. Saudi King Abdullah was livid with Sharif for his move to go Pakistan flouting the deal and strong requests from Saudi government, they said.
Till 2006, the Sharifs virtually enjoyed royal status in Saudi Arabia and he was even allowed to meet opposition leaders from Pakistan like PPP chief Benazir Bhutto and Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmad of MMA even though the deal barred him from carrying on any political activity. All that could be a thing of past from now on. Saudi royals were so angry with Sharif that the King in a letter expressed surprise over Sharif’s defiance saying that no Muslim would violate his word or agreement, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q chief Shujaat Hussain told Geo TV.

Well, if these are true, it looks like Nawaz Sharif took a gamble, and appears to have initially lost, but may have actually won. He is currently right back where he started, but in the meantime he has made sure that his determination to come back to Pakistan when the regime was actually threatening him is now the source of a great deal of public resentment against Musharraf. He has also ensured that Benazir Bhutto will not be able to grab all the attention. If General Musharraf faces much more heat, Nawaz will benefit; but if Gen Musharraf can ride this out, then Nawaz Sharif is in a deep political sleep for atleast 3 years more.

Iraqi football team wins the Asian football Cup

Ashish — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:11:25 +0000

Imagine a team in Iraq comprising of members from all 3 main sections, Shia, Sunni and the Kurds. Sounds difficult to achieve in the kind of sectarian conflicts ongoing in Iraq today, with death squads, bombings, and so on; but was possible. An Iraqi football team, in a keenly contested final in Indonesia won the Asian football cup by defeating the Saudi Arabian team. Who would have thought it possible? A team, handicapped by the conflict in their home country is galvanized enough to run through all their opponents and bring home a major victory.

The huge roar inside the stadium was no doubt bettered by wildly celebrating supporters back in their war-ravaged homeland where Iraqis risked death to rejoice the unifying triumph of their national football team. Iraq blunted the resistance of the Saudis, who could not counter the determination and steel of their Gulf rivals in the crackling decider to the three-week continental tournament.
Iraq, who have captivated the football world with their inspirational progress at the tournament, finished conceding just two goals in their six games and put a spanner in the free-flowing Saudis, who were the leading scorers with 12 goals. The driven Iraqis have showed great resolve throughout the tournament, crushing Australia 3-1 and negotiating South Korea on penalties in last Wednesday’s gruelling two-hour semi-final in Kuala Lumpur.
It was a coaching triumph for Brazilian Jorvan Vieira, 54, who only signed a two-month contract with the Iraqi Football Federation and said Saturday he intended to quit the job after accomplishing what he had set out to achieve.

The clash with Saudi Arabia would have been all the more sweet because the Saudis are at this time, being accused of starting to support Sunni tribes in Iraq, and it is an open question as to how much of this aid is going to the Sunni insurgency, which is also working with Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
This is a great moment for Iraq, and would keep morale flying in the country for atleast a couple of days, till the next major bombing or other such disaster.