New at Reason

David Weigel | September 28, 2006

Michael Young referees the brawl between Saudi and Syrian interests and explains what it means for the U.S.

Comments

|9.28.06 @ 3:37PM|#

A couple of points worth mentioning:

1. The Saudi Royals lost their asset in Lebanon (Hariri). They invested billions in him and he was their man in Lebanon. They basically were not happy to see their investment blown to pieces.

2. The power struggle between Bandar and Saud is a reflection of a larger power strugle within the Saudi Royal family between Abdullah's Camp and the Sudairi camp (Sultan, Nayef, Salman). Bandar is the son of prince Sultan and Saud is an ally of Abdullah. So, Bandar would love to undermine Saud, especially that Saud's brother took his place as the Saudi embassador to the US.

3. The strength of Hezbollah is definitely a threat to the Saudi Royals influence not only in Lebnanon, but in within the Eastern provence of Saudi Arabia as well. The rise of the Shiite in Iraq didn't help either.

4. Nobody takes Walid Jumblatt seriously, except for the neo-con cabal and may be Michael Young.

|9.28.06 @ 5:09PM|#

My only feeling is "how can we detach ourselves from this mess?"

|9.28.06 @ 6:59PM|#

Slightly off topic but....

What is going on with Lebenon these days? How is that peacekeeping force working out (and what are they supposed to be doing again)? Did Israel(sp?) ever get those 2 soldiers back?