Tensions hit boiling point between Saudi Arabia and...Canada?

[UNCjigga]

Within the last few hours, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has:

- expelled the Canadian ambassador
- frozen all trade with Canada
- announced plans to withdraw over 15,000 Saudi students (and their families) currently studying in Canadian schools; their tuition allotments will be redirected to similar schools in other countries
- warned Canada that any further criticism would be interpreted as a license for KSA to interfere in Canadian government affairs [cyberattacks?]

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/can...draw-all-saudi-students-studying-at-canadian/

All of this, supposedly in response to the Canadian Foreign Affairs Secretary urging Saudi Arabia to respect human rights and free political dissidents, due to recent arrests of womens' rights activists in the Kingdom.

So what gives? Pretty strong response for something most Western democracies have been saying openly for quite some time, no? Is there something else at play here?

And I apologize if this upsets some people here, but I have to ask--would KSA even think about taking this action if anyone else was President of the United States?

Oh I can hear the whining now--"why is everything about Trump? KSA did the same thing to Swedent in 2015 before Trump!" But, isn't this an important question to ask: What happens when the US stops standing up for human rights around the world? When we withdraw from the UN's Human Rights Council? When we stand toe to toe with Putin, Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince MBS, Duterte, etc.?

Will more of this happen?

 

[zinfamous]

Kushner

 

[soulcougher73]

Maybe all civilized countries should end deals/ties with countries like KSA. Show them that most of the world wont put up with that?

 

[UNCjigga]

Kushner

The conspiracy theorist in me says Kushner and cronies are angling for KSA to cancel an $11 billion defense contract with Canada for armored vehicles and get it awarded to someone of their choosing...but isn't General Dynamics (the "Canadian" contractor) already a US firm?

 

[Instan00dles]

and here is a thinly veiled threat of another 9/11 type attack posted on the KSA twitter account.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I thought we were supposed to have Middle East Peace in a few weeks to a couple of months max starting last year? I know Trump said this can someone find the video, I need to get to work


Did this ever get released?

 

[Blackjack200]

This is absolutely bonkers. Imagine if Iran tweeted something like this.

https://twitter.com/zinvor/status/1026474494377058304

 

[sandorski]

If they had Forests, we'd just send some Beavers. We'll send Beiber instead....

 

[UglyCasanova]

How bizarre.

 

[KMFJD]

KSA concern trolling Canada. That's amazing

 

[IronWing]

I thought we were supposed to have Middle East Peace in a few weeks to a couple of months max starting last year? I know Trump said this can someone find the video, I need to get to work

If the Sauds attack Canada instead of continuing their aggression in Yemen, well Canada isn't in the Middle East so the Middle East would be more peaceful.

 

[K1052]

If the Sauds attack Canada instead of continuing their aggression in Yemen, well Canada isn't in the Middle East so the Middle East would be more peaceful.

The Saudi's wouldn't attack a lemonade stand without asking us to do it for them or, failing that, hiring American mercenaries to do it.

 

[StinkyPinky]

announced plans to withdraw over 15,000 Saudi students (and their families) currently studying in Canadian schools; their tuition allotments will be redirected to similar schools in other countries

Is that supposed to be a threat? Sounds great.

 

[IronWing]

The Saudi's wouldn't attack a lemonade stand without asking us to do it for them or, failing that, hiring American mercenaries to do it.

Hmmm…

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/robbing-a-lemonade-stand-is-cowardly.2552265/

 

[Jhhnn]

Trump beats up on Canada so the Saudis feel free to do the same.

 

[pcgeek11]

Why is Trump even a talking point in this topic? Or is this just more TDS?

I think this is starting to sound like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Or now the Six Degrees of Donald Trump.

 

[darkswordsman17]

What the fuck? That's my worry is that we're going to have to deal with these people (conservatives) losing their goddamned minds completely as we transition towards dealing with all the shit they've been doing. And we're going to get people willing to appease them just to prevent that, even knowing that it will enable far worse because once they know they can threaten and get away with it, they won't hesitate to go there every chance possible to get everything they can.

This is absolutely bonkers. Imagine if Iran tweeted something like this.

https://twitter.com/zinvor/status/1026474494377058304

and here is a thinly veiled threat of another 9/11 type attack posted on the KSA twitter account.

 

[senseamp]

Enemies of freedom are emboldened by Trump to attack our allies.

 

[Incorruptible]

Saudi Arabia is completely in the wrong, They are still stuck in the 7th century. Those morons are upset they were criticized on Twitter yet they're the same ones who are helping to build mosques in other countries and exporting wahabi Islam. Why is it alright for them to get in involved with other countries but when Canada does it suddenly they're outraged.

 

[IronWing]

Why is Trump even a talking point in this topic? Or is this just more TDS?

I think this is starting to sound like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Or now the Six Degrees of Donald Trump.

One Degree of Trump actually. Trump went to Saudi to fondle King Salman's ball. Trump coddles terrorists. I guess it is a slight improvement over Bush who cuddled terrorists but still not good.

 

[Jhhnn]

Related content from the onion-

https://politics.theonion.com/you-are-the-jewel-of-my-collection-says-saudi-prince-1823998718

Anybody who thinks the Trump admin will back our Canadian friends is delusional.

 

[twjr]

- expelled the Canadian ambassador
- frozen all trade with Canada
- announced plans to withdraw over 15,000 Saudi students (and their families) currently studying in Canadian schools; their tuition allotments will be redirected to similar schools in other countries
- warned Canada that any further criticism would be interpreted as a license for KSA to interfere in Canadian government affairs [cyberattacks?]

Other than the last point that all sounds like a win for Canada to me. I wish Australia had a backbone and stopped dealings with the Saudis. The sooner we develop an alternative to their oil the better.

How the Saudis were allowed to chair the UNHRC baffles me. Walking out of it is possibly the only thing I can agree with the Trump administration on (perhaps agree is too strong but I certainly see the hypocrisy of that council when reading through the membership).

 

[senseamp]

Oh noes, 15000 Wahabbi (aviation?) students are going to leave Canada. Whatever are they going to do?

 

[Jhhnn]

Other than the last point that all sounds like a win for Canada to me. I wish Australia had a backbone and stopped dealings with the Saudis. The sooner we develop an alternative to their oil the better.

How the Saudis were allowed to chair the UNHRC baffles me. Walking out of it is possibly the only thing I can agree with the Trump administration on (perhaps agree is too strong but I certainly see the hypocrisy of that council when reading through the membership).

Iran will sell you all the crude you want. Their women even get to vote. In KSA, nobody gets to vote.

Oh, the US pulled out of the UNHCR because they're so biased against perpetual occupation by the Israelis. Imagine that.

 

[Denly]

Related content from the onion-

https://politics.theonion.com/you-are-the-jewel-of-my-collection-says-saudi-prince-1823998718

Anybody who thinks the Trump admin will back our Canadian friends is delusional.

We(Canadian) got your(American) back high and low the last 100 years, now Trump won't even stand up with us even we are doing the right thing....