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Evidence Is Mounting That the Saudis Had a Hand in 9/11 (jacobin.com)

submitted 5 months ago by Oofnik@kbin.social to c/news@kbin.social

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It’s becoming impossible to deny Saudi government complicity in 9/11. So why does Joe Biden want to sign a security pact with the kingdom that would obligate Americans to fight and die on its behalf?

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[–] Hyperreality@kbin.social 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Real politik.

Saudi Arabia is a useful ally to have in the region, a fellow enemy of Russian ally Iran, a good customer for the defense industry, and an alliance makes the US less reliant on Israel. That's a win-win.

Elements in the Saudi government may have helped orchestrate 9/11, but after 2003 attacks in Saudi Arabia they drastically and often violently curtailed the influence of the Wahhabi establishment. The aristocracy clamped down on the power of the clergy. They also offered significant and valuable intelligence cooperation with the US

So if elements in the Saudi government did help orchestrate 9/11, it's easier to sweap it under the rug. There are more important issues to worry about.

Twenty years ago? Other decisions should have been made and not made.

Now? The world and the regime in Saudi Arabia has changed.

[–] admiralteal@kbin.social 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I agree with what you're saying, but also the reality of Saudi Arabia being a good ally is changing rapidly in the last couple years.

They aren't standing up to Russia. They aren't moderating Israel (potential normalization with the Saudis was likely the proximate cause of the October 6th attacks -- which of course entirely achieved the goal of ending that normalization). They're pledging to "extract every molecule" of fossil fuels to keep the world hooked even while their own internal development clearly shifts towards transition.

I'm not sure the relationship is paying off for the US. Maybe that's why this topic is being stirred back up -- to get a bit more leverage against them. The Saudis seem to be VERY concerned with the kayfabe of being a functional, modern state (in spite of the fact that they're a lunatic theocratic monarchy), so this kind of dirty laundry may be of influence to them if it really is undeniable.

I don't envy the folks in the diplomacy trades who have to consider and interpret all these factors and come to a real conclusion about them.

[–] Badeendje@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

I'll bet a lot of the people in the trenches of politics also know. And pushing the green transition also helps reduce dependence on countries like SA. So it looks to be a win across the board.

If we can now reduce the plastic usage in society and switch that out to more sustainable products. Back to glass, tin cans, and paper.