a quasi Saudi approach

Submitted by myth (Germany), Jan 30, 2014 at 05:25

I share the view to exhaust both sides in Syria supporting whichever side is the weaker one. Yes, there is a cynical flavour to this. From a standpoint of policy I find it similar to the greater Saudi approach.

The Saudis approach applies the tactic of supporting both sides to the conflict between the Western World (incl. Israel) and the islamists.

The Saudis support the Sunni Islamists in order check Western influence in the ME and have them fight shiite groups. But they limit that support for they do not want Sunni islamists to take over the autocratic regimes in the ME including their own. Their general support for islamism ends when the islamists in Iran, or any other country in the region, want nuclear weapons.

The Saudis support the West and Israel to protect their country militarily, deter Iran, and thereby secure the autocratic regimes in the ME, the status quo. Any Western cultural influence as a threat to Islam limits this support.

How does supporting the Sunni islamists and supporting the West go together?

Territory: Ideally the Sunni islamists act in the Western World. At best, they fight shiites outside of Saudi Arabia.

hard/soft values: Saudia Arabia welcomes the hard value of Western military power but rejects the soft values of Western society.

Roles: Islamists protect Islam. The US protects Saudi Arabia.

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