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Is it true Saudi Arabia was a very peaceful country

A

Aimster

Lifer
I heard some guy say it on FoxNews right now. He said that 10-15 years ago Saudi Arabia was one of the most peaceful places anyone could visit. Today, the papers are filled with constant gun battles between the government and extremist.
How accurate is this?

If so, what do you think changed that?
 
A few thoughts.

1) The amount of freely distributed wealth from the oil money slowed down. When everyone expects a free handout, they become upset when it no longer exists (welfare)

2) The original Iraq GW1, allowed the radicals to demonstrate about Arab unity (OBL, etc).
Originally the US kept a low profile, now many US troops were around. It also rankled that Saudi had to depend on Western troops to protect themselves.

3) The general influence of Western culture became more pronounced as the wealth was made available to the average person. They became exposed to different & conflicting ideas.

4) Technology allowed the existing radicals an output for their hate messges and the ability for people to receive it easily.
 
the big problem with Saudi Arabia IMO is that there's no good side.

so when we're talking about constant gun battles between the government and the extremists, it's like a brawl between the KKK and neo-nazis.
 
Originally posted by: loki8481
the big problem with Saudi Arabia IMO is that there's no good side.

so when we're talking about constant gun battles between the government and the extremists, it's like a brawl between the KKK and neo-nazis.
Click to expand...

ROFL

:beer:
 
was the government stronger?

i mean say what you will about dictatorships, but a lot of them are quite safe and peaceful for the average person.
 
Originally posted by: gopunk
was the government stronger?

i mean say what you will about dictatorships, but a lot of them are quite safe and peaceful for the average person.
Click to expand...

That is the advantges of dictatorships. Anything that can challenge the system (political/criminal) is immediately disposed of.

 
If so, what do you think changed that?
Click to expand...
9/11

In that past Saudi Arabia supported and funded and sent out fighters to places like Afghanistan. And they basically let these extreme fundamentalists operate. After 9/11 there was pressure on SA to crack down on these groups. now that the government is against them, they are striking back, trying to overthrow the government.
 
Originally posted by: gopunk
was the government stronger?

i mean say what you will about dictatorships, but a lot of them are quite safe and peaceful for the average person.
Click to expand...

You get he prize, the govt is losing it's grip on power, has been for quite some time in many ways.
 
Originally posted by: Aimster
I heard some guy say it on FoxNews right now. He said that 10-15 years ago Saudi Arabia was one of the most peaceful places anyone could visit. Today, the papers are filled with constant gun battles between the government and extremist.
How accurate is this?

If so, what do you think changed that?
Click to expand...

King Fahd's stroke 10 years ago hasn't done good things for the stability of the monarchy. All kings of Saudi Arabia have been sons of their first king, including King Fahd and his heir apparent, Crown Prince Abdullah, so they're getting quite old (both Fahd and Abdullah are in their 80's.) Saudi Arabia doesn't have the strongest succession system: succession among brothers is always problematic, they have no historical experience with passing on the kingship to succeeding generations, and the people have no long term experience with monarchy, as Saudi Arabia was only established in 1932.
 
Originally posted by: cquark
Originally posted by: Aimster
I heard some guy say it on FoxNews right now. He said that 10-15 years ago Saudi Arabia was one of the most peaceful places anyone could visit. Today, the papers are filled with constant gun battles between the government and extremist.
How accurate is this?

If so, what do you think changed that?
Click to expand...

King Fahd's stroke 10 years ago hasn't done good things for the stability of the monarchy. All kings of Saudi Arabia have been sons of their first king, including King Fahd and his heir apparent, Crown Prince Abdullah, so they're getting quite old (both Fahd and Abdullah are in their 80's.) Saudi Arabia doesn't have the strongest succession system: succession among brothers is always problematic, they have no historical experience with passing on the kingship to succeeding generations, and the people have no long term experience with monarchy, as Saudi Arabia was only established in 1932.
Click to expand...
I made an observation about this the other day in here and this is, imo, one of the reasons we are in Iraq, stting right next door to SA.

Although the rules of succession were changed in, iirc, 1992, there is going to be a power struggle when both Faud and Abdullah are gone and the hardliners are positioning themselves to take control. If that happens, it's not just the US that will be fvcked.
 
"the hardliners are positioning themselves to take control"

Yup, the objectors are so blind it's sad. They point out how cozy we are with SA and how it is certain Bush will be invading Iran next. If the royal family gets tossed out of power it won't matter who is pres here or what the fvck happens in Iran. SA is the greatest threat IMO, and the one the US worries the most about.....
 
Originally posted by: Aimster
I heard some guy say it on FoxNews right now. He said that 10-15 years ago Saudi Arabia was one of the most peaceful places anyone could visit. Today, the papers are filled with constant gun battles between the government and extremist.
How accurate is this?

If so, what do you think changed that?
Click to expand...
Between 1982 and and 1986, I had Embassy duty in Istanbul, Riyadh, and Amman. I never saw published accounts of most of the things that we witnessed in these countries. I am seeing on Television, in the newspaper's, and on the internet a lot of things that I witnessed then. I do believe Saudi Arabia was more peaceful than it is now. But it was not, by any stretch of imagination, a walk in the park while I was there...

 
Originally posted by: maddogchen
If so, what do you think changed that?
Click to expand...
9/11

In that past Saudi Arabia supported and funded and sent out fighters to places like Afghanistan. And they basically let these extreme fundamentalists operate. After 9/11 there was pressure on SA to crack down on these groups. now that the government is against them, they are striking back, trying to overthrow the government.
Click to expand...

the government is trying to pretend it is against them, but it definately is not. the intelligence of SA is infiltrated by al qaeda and some of the top Saudi officials sympathize with the terrorist cause.

 
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