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Veto a State, Lose an Ally
By TURKI AL-FAISAL

The United States must support the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations this month or risk losing the little credibility it has in the Arab world.
If we have so little credibility, loosing it will have little impact.
You and I see that as a feature, not a bug, but al-Faisal uses it as a set-up line...
If it does not, American influence will decline further, Israeli security will be undermined and Iran will be empowered, increasing the chances of another war in the region.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia would no longer be able to cooperate with America in the same way it historically has.
You mean you're out of oil? Guess we'll have to start kowtowing to French Guiana
Or drill, baby, drill at home ....
With most of the Arab world in upheaval, the "special relationship" between Saudi Arabia and the United States would increasingly be seen as toxic by the vast majority of Arabs and Muslims, who demand justice for the Palestinian people.
Sort of the way Baraq sees out "special relationship with the UK
Saudi leaders would be forced by domestic and regional pressures to adopt a far more independent and assertive foreign policy.
And new westerners to hold hands with and accept bows from so you can keep receiving their military support to keep your despised theocratic monarchy's citizens cowed.
Like our recent military support for Bahrain's monarchy, which America opposed, Saudi Arabia would pursue other policies at odds with those of the United States, including opposing the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Iraq and refusing to open an embassy there despite American pressure to do so.
So you want to make common policy with Iran? We'll check back in a year and seeh how things work out for ya.
The Saudi government might part ways with Washington in Afghanistan and Yemen as well.
Where your assistance is critical. Threatening us may have paid off in the past, but it's unlikely to when done in public. Especially with a President Perry. Better start making those campaign contributions now.
Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former director of Saudi Arabia's intelligence services and a former Saudi ambassador to the United States, is chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2011-09-12
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=329662