Category Archives: Saudi Arabia

Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Activist Goes Mad, Claims All Princes Want Democracy, Wants Future King Tried………………

   

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A known Saudi activist is reported to have gone mad, gone plum crazy as some would say around here. If the report in al-Quds Al-Arabi is true, if. Abdullah al-Hamid is quoted to have declared that most member of the Al-Saud ruling family support the idea of converting the absolute kingdom into a constitutional monarchy. He claimed that also included the king. He is also quoted as calling for the new interior minister Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef to be tried. He has called for a retrial of all those who were victimized by secret trials.


I call him plum crazy only because he seems to entertain the delusion that the king and most princes want a constitutional monarchy. His other proposals of retrials of victims and the trial of some princes are fine as far as I am concerned. The more (that are tried) the merrier. He could also be eventually committed as crazy for suggesting that the interior minister, probably the most important Saudi prince, be tried. Mohammed Bin Nayef, who controls the “police” part of the Saudi police state, is most likely to become the king of Saudi Arabia within the next few years. King as well as Custodian of the Cave of the Four Thousand Thieves that was exposed by Ali Baba.

Of course, it is possible he just being clever, too clever. FYI: he is disputing some of claims made by al-Quds Al-Arab about him.
Cheers
mhg
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Arab Counterrevoltion, Fatwas, Saudi Arabia

A New Friday Scientific Fatwa, a Warning of Treason, and WTF in Arabic……………

   

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The Saudi Mufti Shaikh Abdulaziz Al Al Shaikh, who is also president of the Commission of Higher (Ulema) Scientists, has issued a new (scientific) fatwa. He has made it (scientifically) ‘haram’, taboo, not kosher, to communicate with foreign satellite television networks and cooperate with them in publicizing the country’s secrets. His shaikhness noted that these networks aim at spreading confusion, anarchy, and division (fitna) among all Muslims and that they destroy the unity of the umma (wtf that be).
His Scientific Muftiness said that the proper Shari’a way to deal with public issues and concerns is to write to officials about them rather than go to media outlets or protest publicly. (Like you can write the King about stopping all the Al-Saud prices looting the country’s resources and end up spending the rest of your life in prison, probably without being tried for it).
His Scientific Muftiness said that providing any information to such media is a form of treason and helps the “enemies” of Islam. He also warned against covering up for or helping hide or sheltering anyone who tries to organize assassinations or other unlawful acts.
At the end of his sermon during the Friday prayers at the Imam Turkey Bin Abdullah he no doubt left some of his congregation muttering: WTF, in Arabic?
Cheers
mhg
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Arabian Peninsula, Corruption, Saudi Arabia

Revisiting “Gangs of Arabia: Oil Fiefdoms and Turf Wars, Ivanhoe and Isaac of Qatif”……………

   

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I posted about this last year. I am reproducing part of it here although there have been some “cosmetic” changes of names. The main thrust of what I wrote then remains, the repression goes on, the robbery endures. The Crown Prince at the time, Prince Sultan is dead, I should say the “former former” crown prince is dead. The former next in line to be crown prince, Prince Nayef, in fact became crown prince for a few months. Then he died too. He was the former crown prince. The former next in line at the time was Prince Salman; now he is the current crown prince. Nobody has been yet appointed as a second next in line, or a third next in line. The princes are positioning themselves and their sons for the fight over the throne, and it will be a hell of a fight. Get your popcorn and soda, turn off your cellphone, and wait. And enjoy it unfold over the next few months, when King Abdullah dies and the struggle intensifies for power and for the billions of dollars of money that are annually stolen from the peoples of the Arabian Peninsula:
 “Gangs of Arabia:
Oil Fiefdoms and Turf Wars, Ivanhoe and Isaac of Qatif………

The clock is ticking and time is running out for the combatants to position themselves. Here is a summary of the turf wars and how the Saudi pie is being split now among the “next” generation (meaning those in their 70’s and up):
1. The crown prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz is seriously ill and highly unlikely to become king. He spends his time between an undisclosed location at home and American hospitals and Moroccan recuperation. He has appointed his son Khaled as deputy defense minister, meaning he is to inherit the ministry as well as becoming the minister of aviation and inspector general (recalling Danny Kaye now).
2. Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz is next in line and almost certainly the next king. He is a seriously conservative man and is against any type of elections. He famously said a couple of years ago that “Elections can never produce good people of the quality that we appoint” (and that was long before the Tea Party gained control of the U.S. Congress!). He is the minister of interior, in charge of police and security and secret police and terrorism and arrests and prisons and prisoners without charges and whatever goes in the dark cells. He has appointed his son Mohammed as a deputy minister, meaning he is to inherit the ministry when the father either becomes king or dies, whichever comes first.
3. Then there is the king himself and he is no slouch when it comes to his interests and the interests of his children. Abdullah was head of the National Guard, a parallel army, since forever. Last year he appointed one of his sons to replace him as head of the Guard. Thus the king has staked the permanent claim of ‘his’ branch of the al-Saud clan.
4. That leaves the Foreign Ministry, forever headed by Prince Saud al-Faisal. He is reportedly ailing without a clear heir. At one time there were two apparent claimants competing for the ministry, or at least there seemed to be, until King Abdullah appointed his son Abdulaziz as Deputy Foreign Minister, thus staking the claim of his own ‘branch’ of the al-Saud clan. Now Abdulaziz has the inside track as compared to Prince Turki al-Faisal brother of the current minister (and the wittiest prince, at least in public) and Prince Bandar Bin Sultan (of the famous BAE Systems bribery case that Tony Blair covered up). The foreign ministry is interesting because has become an area of unexpected competition and turf war. I had assumed it was the private reserve of the al-Faisal clan until Bandar made his move and then Abdullah appointed his own son. Apparently Bandar is a restless type, for he has reportedly made many moves inside and outside the kingdom and was allegedly involved in some palace plots. Apparently all the BAE Systems bribe money has given him more time and funds to pursue his ‘hobbies’. He was even reported at one time to be active in Iraq (not physically, but financially among the Sunni tribes and others). The foreign ministry truly reflects the current territorial infighting among the al-Saud branches: if Abdullah dies before the minister leaves, his son is not guaranteed the top job.
What is at stake is:……………………………..”
Cheers
mhg
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Lebanon, Saudi Arabia

Hariri of Lebanon: Threatens to Return and Underwhelm, Elba or Saint Helena?………….

   

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Good news and glad tidings. The Future Bloc of Sa’ad Hariri believes that it is time for its non-leading leader to return to Lebanon. Now they say that Hariri has long had an “unstoppable” urge to go home. Sa’ad Hariri has promised to return to Beirut! Although he is being coy and refuses to set the day and hour. Yet, finally he is arriving, he will rise, he will underwhelm again. Not exactly Napoleon Bonaparte returning from the island of Elba; if anything more like Napoleon landing at the island of Saint Helena.
Hariri (fils) has been spending the past couple of years between Paris and Riyadh. Mostly Paris, with occasional sorties into Riyadh whenever another elderly prince ‘kicks the bucket’, or whenever he needs more cash. Media reported this past summer that the Saudi king ‘gifted’ him with US$4 billion to help him fix his finances. Only a few months before that the king had gifted him with $2 billion. I wonder where the Saudi king gets all that cash from? How does he get his Wahhabi Congress to approve all these billions in gifts for a dandy who lives mostly in France. I wonder how the poor average Saudi, barely making it, feels about all this money, his money, being gifted by the king (Hariri is also a Saudi citizen).

Hariri has two distinctions: (1) the first prime minister of Lebanon with a Saudi-style goatee (saksooka, baaa or whatever). The goatee is a souvenir of his Saudi connections; I hear from one unreliable source that the princes threatened to withdraw his Saudi citizenship and freeze his money if he shaved it. Also, (2) he was the first PM to spend a year or more abroad while in office.
Oh, he has another distinction that has changed the face of at least northern Lebanon. His bloc has reportedly for a few years financed and encouraged Salafi groups to sprout around Tripoli. Now they are causing some serious sectarian trouble.
Cheers
mhg
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Prisoners of Conscience, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Dissidents: of Security Prisons and Mysterious Deaths………

   

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Re: my last post on Evin and al-Haer prisons in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Rights Activists Report that 13 prisoners have died recently in security prisons in the kingdom under what they call “mysterious circumstances”. They list the names of the dead, most of whom are Saudi citizens. This is something that would terrify the families of the thousands of detainees. They have been protesting outside the prison and being water-hosed and harassed by security forces, according to Saudi rights lawyers. There have been more and more protests outside security police headquarters and prisons.
Such public protests are unusual in Saudi Arabia outside the Qatif region in the Eastern Province. Change that: they used to be unusual, but not anymore. The fear is receding.
Cheers
mhg
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Corruption, Iran, Saudi Arabia

Chutzpah: Iranians and Saudis Exchange Political Prisoners……………

   

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“A large number of protestors staged a demonstration in front of a Saudi prison in Qassim province to demand the release of their relatives who have been arrested and locked up by the al-Saud regime for political reasons. The Saudi security forces blockaded the roads around a desert prison in Central Saudi Arabia on Monday where relatives of inmates were staging a demonstration to demand their release. The protestors had gathered since Sunday afternoon in the desert around the prison in Qassim province but were told by police they would be arrested if they tried to leave, protesters said by telephone. They complained they had no food or water because of the blockade but said they would keep up the protest……………..”

This was eagerly reported by Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency. Here the Iranians are clearly enjoying this Saudi discomfort: people have been publicly protesting about their relatives being held for years in prison, often without charges. The Iranians of course have their own political prisoners, many of them. Some Saudi dissidents claim that the al-Haer prison, where many Saudi dissidents are held, is the largest in the Middle East. Most others outside claim that Iran’s Evin is bigger, it certainly is better known both inside and outside the country, more notorious. Iran’s population is more than three times that of Saudi Arabia, so it is more likely to have bigger prisons and more political prisoners by sheer numbers. On the other hand there are also many Saudi ways to get in ‘trouble’: there are thousands of corrupt princes (and princesses) that one can insult and get into trouble. Besides, the traditionally subservient Saudi citizens (not just in Qatif) are getting fed up and speaking out more often now.
Things can only get more exciting in the Arabian Peninsula, from the birthplace of Islam in Hijaz to the oilfields of the Eastern Province. Things can only get more exciting in Iran as well, perhaps after the 2013 elections.
I’d say, between the Iranians and the Saudis, it is a toss-up (as in flipping a fifty fils coin to see if it is “chap lo kittib”. You figure that last one out if you can, or call someone on the Gulf).
Cheers
mhg
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Iraq, Media, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Media Worried about Press Freedom in Iraq………..

   

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Saudi media editors and owners, all freedom lovers, are deeply worried that “Iraq press freedom is threatened”.
Saudi media freedom itself, however, is not threatened for two reasons: (1) There is no Saudi press freedom to be threatened. You have no press freedom, ergo: you don’t have to worry about a press freedom that does not exist, and, (2) Saudi media are all owned and/or operated by the princes and their kin, from Asharq Alawsat (Crown Prince for the Next Few Months Salman) and al-Hayat (Prince Khaled Bin sultan) to Alarabiya to Al-Arab Network (Prince Al-Waleeed) all the way down to the local newspapers. We know nobody would restrict the freedom of princely press because princes are fierce defenders of press freedom and will not stand for it.
Cheers
mhg
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Arabian Peninsula, Culture, Saudi Arabia, Science

Saudi Manhattan Project, Tectonic Plates to Hibernate for 100 Years………..

   

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“JEDDAH: An expert ruled out the occurrence of devastating earthquakes in Saudi Arabia over the next 100 years. “Seismic activity underneath Saudi Arabia will remain normal and if any disturbances do occur over the next 100 years, they will not pose any danger as their magnitude will never exceed 4.5 on the Richter Scale,” said Ali Al-Shukri, head of the Astronomical Sciences Department at King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals. The latest tremor registering a magnitude of 4.5 near the Kingdom occurred at an undersea location 181 km off Farasan Island in the Red Sea on Sept. 2.
Satellite images showed that the Arabian tectonic plate and the African plate were moving away from each other, stretching the Earth’s crust and widening the southern end of the Red Sea……………”

Odd, but it almost never quakes in the Arabian Peninsula. It falls just outside the “Seismic Hazard Zone”, although the tip of the UAE is the only exposed part of as an extension of the active Iranian zone (speaking geological, not political). Surrounding regions, like Iran and Turkey get hit frequently and hard, but the Peninsula (and East Africa) is not affected.
This I couldn’t resist: I suspect they are setting the ground for skyscrapers in Mecca and Madinah. And maybe in Jeddah, of course. Manhattan in Hijaz is a possibility, and the potentates are probably salivating at how many pious pilgrims they can squeeze in every year. They have already razed all the historic monuments of Mecca, like the homes of the Prophet and the Sahaba they claim to love and venerate, and replaced them with lucrative hotels, five-six-seven star hotels and shopping malls.
Cheers
mhg
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Arab Revolutions, Saudi Arabia, Syria

Last Refuge of Scoundrels: How Manaf Tlass Discovered a new Wahhabi God………

   

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“Religion is the last refuge of these scoundrels……..” Paraphrased by Me

“Brigadier-General Manaf Tlas hails from a family with a long history in the Syrian military establishment starting from his father former Syrian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Mustafa Tlas to his cousins who defected from the Syrian regime. Tlas’s defection dealt a severe blow to the Syrian regime not only because he is the son of a former defense minister, but also because of his own rank in the army. Tlas comes from Rastan in the Homs governorate. Homs was, in fact, the main reason for the fallout between Manaf Tlas and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Tlas asked Assad to stop military operations in Homs, which at the time, had claimed the lives of hundreds of Syrians. Manaf Tlas, commander of the Republican Guard’s 105th brigade, is the second son of Mustafa Tlas, who was minister of defense from 1972 during the reign of Hafez al-Assad, to 2004, four years after Bashar al-Assad inherited power following his father’s death. Bashar al-Assad dismissed Mustafa Tlas, who he saw as a member of the “old guard,” one year before the assassination of his friend former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri…………….”

This is too cute, from the semi-official Saudi royal mouthpiece Alarabiya. They even add a bit of fantasy hint about how his father Mustafa Tlass was retired in order for ‘someone’ to be able to kill Hariri. Oh, yeah: Tlass was the protector of Hariri the al-Saud man in Lebanon. Suddenly the whole Tlass family, partners in the looting and repression of Syria for many decades, are presented as saviors of Syria. Saviors of Syria from their own past.
Suddenly Manaf Tlass makes the obligatory Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, a symbolic political gesture in this case devoid of religion. This Umrah was like a political campaign gesture in the West. It was a political gesture meant to satisfy the al-Saud, their Wahhabi shaikhs, and the Muslim Brotherhood-Salafi forces that control the opposition movement inside Syria.
This Umrah also indicates that the al-Saud princes now own Manaf Tlass: lock, stock, and barrel. He is their prize possession that will help rule Syria the way the al-Saud want it to be ruled. Maybe the way the Western powers want it to be ruled.
Cheers
mhg
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Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, U.S. Politics

Bandar the Romantic Royal Jeffersonian: from the Kingdom of Fear to the Home of the Brave…………..

   

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“Saudi Arabia’s Prince Bandar bin Sultan, 62, fell in love with the United States when he was still a pilot in his country’s air force and took aerobatics training on an American air base. The romance was renewed several years later when he was named his country’s ambassador to Washington, a tenure that lasted 22 years, during which he was a regular guest of both George Bushes and was the only ambassador who was guarded by the U.S. Secret Service. Last week King Abdullah named him director-general of the Saudi Intelligence Agency, replacing Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, on top of his post as secretary general of the National Security Council, which he’s held since 2005. Bandar’s appointment to the most important position in the Saudi security echelons is no coincidence. Aside from the fact that he is very well connected to the kingdom’s leaders (his wife, Haifa, is the daughter of King Faisal who was assassinated in 1975, her brother, Turki al-Faisal, was once head of Saudi intelligence and another brother, Mohammed al-Faisal, is one of the kingdom’s richest men), it seems that the primary reason for his appointment now is that Saudi Arabia is preparing for the next stage in Syria………..” Haaretz (This link was through Google webcache , but it has been rendered in-operable as well)

This WAS a gushing tribute to Prince Bandar Bin Sultan al-Saud (I am so tempted to add ‘al-Yamama al-Money‘ to his name, but that may be seen as disrespectful, so I won’t). It was posted in the Israeli daily Haaretz briefly yesterday, then pulled out quickly. But there is no going back on the Internet, as they say (I am not sure who the hell said that, but somebody must have said it, or ought to have said it).
The piece starts with Bandar “falling in love with America”. That part is easy to understand: I fell in love with America from my first day, nay first hour, as a teenager student arriving in New York City. But I doubt that Bandar fell in love with American values. He did not, of course. You’d think from the piece that he has become such an avid Jeffersonian democrat, which may explain why he seeks to convert his country from the ‘kingdom of fear and no magic” into an imitation of the “land of free and home of the brave”. Except that he and the other princes have no use for a Land of the Free nor for a Home of the Brave in the Arabian Peninsula. They rule and prosper by fear, and fear is becoming a rare commodity in the Arab world these days, from Tunisia all the way to Syria and Bahrain. (No doubt Bandar will also fall in love with Bibi Netanyahu as soon as he meets him, possibly, nay very likely, he already has. By Arab standards Israel is no doubt a free democracy, except that Bandar, being an Arab prince, confuses the leader with the country).
It is possible the piece was pulled because it has many serious errors and omissions. The impression it gives that Bandar helped set American foreign policy is ridiculous, although I have facetiously called him a National Security Adviser of the Bush administration. (There are other reasons as well for pulling the piece, but that is for later). Of all the reasons given in the article for Bandar’s “promotion”, the most important is not mentioned: he is the son of the late crown prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, and in the division of spoils among the elderly al-Saud princes and their clans, this is part of his share of the spoils of the kingdom.
As I sagely clarified in another posting, the kingdom is fast becoming a land of turfs, fiefdoms, and princely principalities. I had succinctly explained the issue in an earlier posting, and in some older writings. I also had posted something about his famous American connections here.

Cheers
mhg
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