The point is that the US is providing protective (?) services to other countries thus giving them a free ride.
The UK is in the middle of a bribery scandal with Saudi Arabia. Something like $80 billion in arms trades over the past decade and future sales are involved. This a perfect case where Europe sells (mostly useless) military equipment whereas the US has to provide the troops and run the bases. Policies not Politics ---- Daily Landscape
Please give an example. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
If anything most middle east regimes are most at risk from internal coups. Heavy equipment usually doesn't help in such a situation. Policies not Politics ---- Daily Landscape
In 1991 Saudi Arabia was next in line after Kuwait. As long as Saddam was around Saudi Arabia was under threat. Now when he is gone and the Americans are preparing to leave with the tails between their legs SA must prepare to intervene in Iraq to save the Sunnis and hold of the influence of it's main enemy... Iran.
For at least 50 years Saudi Arabia has been in conflict with Iran over the control of the Persian gulf.
It's hard to imagine many countries with a greater need for a strong defence than Saudi Arabia. Maybe Iran. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
Maybe they could enter into a mutual defence agreement. That would solve a lot of problems.
But as long as it's the Wahhabis against the Ayatollahs, it doesn't sound likely.
Saudi Arabia has the little problem that the oil-rich region has a (repressed) Shiite majority, as well. Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides
