The Front Page Cover
2016 The turth is the gold of today
Featuring:
Glick: In Pakistan, They Trust
Caroline Glick
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When the Orator Heckles
"What do you mean, 'Make America Great Again'? I've already done that!" That was the essence of Barack nObama's thankfully final State of the Union Address last night. We've watched a lot of nObama's speeches over the years (our humble service so that you won't have to), and this one was particularly remarkable for his cocky, smug and hectoring tone — and that's saying something for a petulant narcissist like him. Whether it was insisting that the economy is great or that climate change requires his solutions or that "America is the most powerful nation on Earth — period," nObama is right and righteous, and anyone who disagrees is a lying clown. We're only surprised he didn't claim credit for the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot, because nObama's awesome, America's great, and, oh, by the way, you're welcome, you ingrates.
What makes the tone even more obnoxious was that he eventually got around to lecturing us about political disagreements in general. "It's one of the few regrets of my presidency that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better," he lamented, as if he was an innocent bystander. Of course, he has done more to foment rancor and suspicion than any other president in history.
And then there was his parade of straw-men. For example, we don't keep America secure by "either isolating ourselves or trying to nation-build everywhere there's a problem," he said, outlining two positions held by exactly no one. His way, he tells us, is really the only enlightened one.
One final observation: Are we the only ones who noticed how very ticked off Michelle nObama looked throughout the speech? Is the woman ever happy? -The Patriot Post
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Iran Humiliates nObama, Again
Ten U.S. Navy personnel aboard two small boats were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) on Tuesday after at least one of their boats reportedly had mechanical trouble near Farsi Island in the northern Persian Gulf. A Fifth Fleet spokesman confirmed on Wednesday the IRGCN had released all 10 sailors, who are safely aboard USS Anzio. The IRGCN also returned the two small boats, which were manned by other U.S. sailors and are en route to Bahrain.
Taking U.S. Navy personnel captive is consistent with Iran's pattern of hostility to the U.S. under nObama's weak leadership. But the Iranian regime is focused on getting the recent nuclear deal implemented (and $150 billion in sanctions relief flowing), and Iran doubtless wanted to avoid a repeat of 2007, when local IRGCN forces took 15 British sailors and marines captive at gunpoint and held them for two weeks. U.S. military analysts believe that incident was instigated by a local commander with no prior approval from higher authorities, and that the Iranian regime was caught by surprise in a very dangerous standoff not of its own design. This time the Iranian regime apparently exercised its authority over the IRGCN and prevented another major incident.
But was there concern in the nObama administration? Was there even a minute when the administration was rethinking the Iran nuclear deal? After all, Iran has been busy the last few weeks, test firing ballistic missiles contrary to international treaties, test firing other missiles downrange of U.S. ships, and now, in the words of Sen. Tom Cotton, "humiliating Barack Obama" on the night of his State of the Union Address.
Last night, nObama, knowing full well that 10 sailors were being treated with "Islamic compassion" by their Iranian captors, kept to his rosy script for his speech. "There is a smarter approach," he said, "a patient and disciplined strategy that uses every element of our national power. ... That's why we built a global coalition, with sanctions and principled diplomacy, to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. And as we speak, Iran has rolled back its nuclear program, shipped out its uranium stockpile, and the world has avoided another war." No mention whatsoever of the captured Americans from the commander in chief. -The Patriot Post
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Who's 'Peddling Fiction' About the Economy?
At last night's State of the Union Address, Barack nObama crowed about his track record with the economy. Jobs have been increasing, he said, and because of that, everything is on the up and up. "Let me start with the economy and a basic fact," nObama said. "The United States of America, right now, has the strongest, most durable economy in the world. We're in the middle of the longest streak of private-sector job creation in history. ... Anyone claiming that America's economy is in decline is peddling fiction."
Yes, every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases that jobs report and the headlining numbers — how many jobs added, the unemployment rate — look good. But nObama is painting with too broad a brush when he says his naysayers are describing a fictional reality. The numbers deeper in those reports tell a more ominous story. As Fortune demonstrates, wages under nObama's administration have basically stagnated. Personal debt held by Americans has increased by about $1 trillion. Meanwhile, fewer Americans are buying homes. And as for those increased employment numbers, it is undercut by the fact that the overall percentage of Americans in the workforce is hovering around record lows.
As a hallmark of his economy, nObama said last night more Americans work in the solar industry than coal. Of course — this is because the nObama administration has decimated the coal industry through regulation, as the second largest coal company filed for bankruptcy and West Virginia struggles with staggering unemployment numbers. The chief executive's divisive rhetoric on the economy isn't helping, either. But here's some good news: America's economy is durable. It will move past the nObama era. -The Patriot Post
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Islamophobia & Political Correctness
Herbert London
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FBI Has Enough Evidence to
Prosecute Hilly Clinton for Public Corruption
John Sexton.
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The U.S. Has a Massive
Asylum Fraud Problem No One Talks About
Todd Bensman.
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nObama SET TO UNFREEZE
$100 BILLION to Iran, After Deep
HUMILIATION and Sailor Capture
PAMELA GELLER
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Camera Catches Joint Chiefs
After nObama Mocks Them at SOTU…
conservativetribune
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{conservativetribune.com} ~ It’s little secret that America’s military strength hasn’t just waned under the nObama administration, but plummeted... Weapons systems have been neglected, troop strength has declined and the president has been using the armed forces as a social experiment. So, if someone were to tell you that America’s military were just as strong as ever, you would probably laugh. One group that wouldn’t, though, are the Joint Chiefs of Staff. When nObama mocked them over America’s military strength during last night’s speech, the men who lead our military said it all with their demeanor — stony-faced, unsmiling and not clapping. http://conservativetribune.com/camera-joint-chiefs-obama/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=MailChimp&utm_content=top-story&utm_campaign=DailyEmail01.14.16Video at the site
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Finally, a Strategy to
Checkmate nObama’s Executive Actions
Genevieve Wood.
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4 Issues Benghazi Committee
Is Focused On
Helle Dale.
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Why Have Western Leaders
Sold-Out to Islam?
Nonie Darwish
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{joemiller.us} ~ Is someone holding a gun to the heads of Western politicians, forcing them to state immediately after every Muslim terror attack that “Islam has nothing whatsoever to do with terror”?... Who cares about whether Islam has or has not something to do with terror? The only people who care about Islam’s reputation are the so-called “moderate” Muslims who have been making excuses for jihad terror, and covering up for Islamic atrocities for centuries, while blaming Western foreign policy for their jihad. As for all the jihadist groups themselves, they couldn’t care less about associating terrorism with Islam. In fact, jihadists have no problem with expressing pride in their terrorism, and love to see us disappointed and confused in our Western dilemma over what is or what is not Islam. But now Western leaders are joining the ranks of “moderate” Muslims to cover up the real agenda of Islam. While their statements defending Islam are getting more and more outrageous and even sickening in the eyes of the informed Western citizen, they continue to mislead people as they blame Western thinking for not being tolerant enough.We Need Term Limits: How
"Career Politicians" took Over Congress...
Ken Lambert
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{lidblog.com} ~ A term, and job, most Americans despise is “career politician”. These are men and women who have spent most or all of their adult working life within politics and public “service”... Generally, the typical voter views these eternal bureaucrats as power-hungry, corrupt, lazy, sneaky, snobbish, incompetent, and a myriad of other adjectives not appropriate for Eagle Rising. Over the decades since the earliest Congress, more and more people are electing to be in power positions within the federal and state governments, on a full-time basis. The pay, and of course the perks, have risen substantially since the early days of the U.S. In 1815, adjusted for 2014 inflation and dollars, the annual salary of a U.S. Representative was $19,085. Researching wages in the early 1800’s is very difficult, but let’s assume that was roughly 50% of an average annual salary or wage. This was likely because it was determined that being a U.S. Representative was a Part-time job.
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Kentucky Cuts Ties With
Key Piece of nObamacare
Natalie Myers
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Glick: In Pakistan, They Trust
Caroline Glick
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Caroline Glick
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{truthrevolt.org} ~ It is a testament to the precarious state of the world today that in a week that saw North Korea carry out a possible test of a hydrogen bomb, the most frightening statement uttered did not come from Pyongyang..
It came from Pakistan.
It came from Pakistan.
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Speaking in the military garrison town of Rawalpindi, Pakistani Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif said that any Iranian threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity will “wipe Iran off the map.”
Speaking in the military garrison town of Rawalpindi, Pakistani Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif said that any Iranian threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity will “wipe Iran off the map.”
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Sharif made the statement following his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to media reports, Salman was the second senior Saudi official to visit Pakistan in the past week amid growing tensions between Iran and the kingdom.
Sharif made the statement following his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to media reports, Salman was the second senior Saudi official to visit Pakistan in the past week amid growing tensions between Iran and the kingdom.
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Salman’s trip and Sharif’s nuclear threat make clear that following the US’s all-but-official abandonment of its role as protector of the world’s largest oil producer, the Saudis have cast their lots with nuclear-armed Pakistan.
Salman’s trip and Sharif’s nuclear threat make clear that following the US’s all-but-official abandonment of its role as protector of the world’s largest oil producer, the Saudis have cast their lots with nuclear-armed Pakistan.
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When last October, the USS Harry Truman exited the Persian Gulf, the move marked the first time since 2007 that the US lacked an aircraft carrier in the region. Nine years ago, the US naval move was not viewed as a major statement of strategic withdrawal, given that back then the US had some one hundred thousand troops in Iraq.
When last October, the USS Harry Truman exited the Persian Gulf, the move marked the first time since 2007 that the US lacked an aircraft carrier in the region. Nine years ago, the US naval move was not viewed as a major statement of strategic withdrawal, given that back then the US had some one hundred thousand troops in Iraq.
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While the USS Truman returned to the Gulf late last month, its return gave little solace to America’s frightened and spurned Arab allies. The nObama administration’s weak-kneed response to Iran’s live-fire exercises on December 26, during which an Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessel fired rockets a mere 1,370 meters from the aircraft carrier as it transited the Straits of Hormuz, signaled that the US is not even willing to make a show of force to deter Iranian aggression.
While the USS Truman returned to the Gulf late last month, its return gave little solace to America’s frightened and spurned Arab allies. The nObama administration’s weak-kneed response to Iran’s live-fire exercises on December 26, during which an Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessel fired rockets a mere 1,370 meters from the aircraft carrier as it transited the Straits of Hormuz, signaled that the US is not even willing to make a show of force to deter Iranian aggression.
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And so the Saudis have turned to Pakistan.
And so the Saudis have turned to Pakistan.
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It would be foolish to view Sharif’s nuclear threat as mere bluster.
It would be foolish to view Sharif’s nuclear threat as mere bluster.
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By every meaningful measure, Pakistan is little more than a failed state with nuclear weapons. Pakistan appears in every global index of failed or failing states.
By every meaningful measure, Pakistan is little more than a failed state with nuclear weapons. Pakistan appears in every global index of failed or failing states.
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To take just a few leading indicators, as spelled out by Basit Mahmood in a report last summer for The Political Domain, barely 1% of Pakistanis pay taxes of any kind. More than half the population lives in abject poverty. The government has no control over most Pakistani territory.
To take just a few leading indicators, as spelled out by Basit Mahmood in a report last summer for The Political Domain, barely 1% of Pakistanis pay taxes of any kind. More than half the population lives in abject poverty. The government has no control over most Pakistani territory.
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Between 2003 and 2015, more than 58,000 people were killed by terrorism countrywide.
Between 2003 and 2015, more than 58,000 people were killed by terrorism countrywide.
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Public health is a disaster. Polio, eradicated throughout much of the world, is now galloping through the country.
Public health is a disaster. Polio, eradicated throughout much of the world, is now galloping through the country.
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Last summer more than 1,300 people died in a heat wave in the supposedly advanced city of Karachi.
Last summer more than 1,300 people died in a heat wave in the supposedly advanced city of Karachi.
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These data do not take into account the wholesale slaughter and persecution of minority groups – first and foremost Christians – and the systematic denial of basic human rights and widespread, violent persecution of women and girls.
These data do not take into account the wholesale slaughter and persecution of minority groups – first and foremost Christians – and the systematic denial of basic human rights and widespread, violent persecution of women and girls.
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As for its nuclear arsenal, a 2010 report by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists estimated that Pakistan possesses between 70 and 90 nuclear warheads. Other credible reports estimate the size of the arsenal at 120.
As for its nuclear arsenal, a 2010 report by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists estimated that Pakistan possesses between 70 and 90 nuclear warheads. Other credible reports estimate the size of the arsenal at 120.
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Pakistan refuses to adopt a no-firststrike policy. In the US and worldwide, it is considered to be the greatest threat to global nuclear security.
Pakistan refuses to adopt a no-firststrike policy. In the US and worldwide, it is considered to be the greatest threat to global nuclear security.
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Following a Pakistani jihadist assault on the Indian parliament in late 2001, India and Pakistan both deployed forces along their contested border. In the months that followed, due to Pakistani nuclear threats, the prospect of nuclear war was higher than it had ever been.
Following a Pakistani jihadist assault on the Indian parliament in late 2001, India and Pakistan both deployed forces along their contested border. In the months that followed, due to Pakistani nuclear threats, the prospect of nuclear war was higher than it had ever been.
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Cold War nuclear brinksmanship – which reached its high point during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis – paled in comparison.
Cold War nuclear brinksmanship – which reached its high point during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis – paled in comparison.
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In 2008, following the Pakistani jihadist assault on Mumbai, India threatened to retaliate against Pakistan.
In 2008, following the Pakistani jihadist assault on Mumbai, India threatened to retaliate against Pakistan.
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India’s threats rose as evidence mounted that, as was the case in 2001, the jihadists were tied to Pakistan’s ISI spy service. Once again, rather than clean its own house, Pakistan responded by threatening to launch a nuclear attack against India.
India’s threats rose as evidence mounted that, as was the case in 2001, the jihadists were tied to Pakistan’s ISI spy service. Once again, rather than clean its own house, Pakistan responded by threatening to launch a nuclear attack against India.
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And now, following the unraveling of US-strategic credibility, Pakistan’s aggressive nuclear umbrella is officially coming to the Persian Gulf.
And now, following the unraveling of US-strategic credibility, Pakistan’s aggressive nuclear umbrella is officially coming to the Persian Gulf.
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Saudi Arabia’s decision to turn to Pakistan for protection indicates that the second wave of the destruction of the Arab state model is upon us. The notion of Arab states was invented nearly 100 years ago by the British and French at the tail end of World War I. The Sykes-Picot agreement, which partitioned the Arab world into states, rewarded national dominion to the most powerful tribal actors in the various land masses that became the states of the Arab world.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to turn to Pakistan for protection indicates that the second wave of the destruction of the Arab state model is upon us. The notion of Arab states was invented nearly 100 years ago by the British and French at the tail end of World War I. The Sykes-Picot agreement, which partitioned the Arab world into states, rewarded national dominion to the most powerful tribal actors in the various land masses that became the states of the Arab world.
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With the possible exception of Egypt, which predated Sykes-Picot, the Arab states formed at the end of World War I were not nation states. Their populations didn’t view themselves as distinct nations. Rather the populations of the Arab states were little more than a hodgepodge of tribes, clans and sectarian and ethnic groupings. In each case, the British and French made their determinations of leadership based on the relative power of the various groups. Those chosen to control these new states were viewed either as the strongest factions within the new borders or as the most loyal allies to the European powers.
With the possible exception of Egypt, which predated Sykes-Picot, the Arab states formed at the end of World War I were not nation states. Their populations didn’t view themselves as distinct nations. Rather the populations of the Arab states were little more than a hodgepodge of tribes, clans and sectarian and ethnic groupings. In each case, the British and French made their determinations of leadership based on the relative power of the various groups. Those chosen to control these new states were viewed either as the strongest factions within the new borders or as the most loyal allies to the European powers.
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The first wave of Arab state collapse began six years ago. It submerged the non-royal regimes, which fell one after the other, like houses of cards.
The first wave of Arab state collapse began six years ago. It submerged the non-royal regimes, which fell one after the other, like houses of cards.
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Syria, Libya, Yemen ceased to exist.
Syria, Libya, Yemen ceased to exist.
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Egypt, which in the space of two years experienced both an Islamist revolution and a military counter-revolution, still teeters on the brink of collapse.
Egypt, which in the space of two years experienced both an Islamist revolution and a military counter-revolution, still teeters on the brink of collapse.
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Lebanon will likely break apart at the slightest provocation.
Lebanon will likely break apart at the slightest provocation.
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Today we are seeing the opening stages of the collapse of the Arab monarchies, and most importantly, of Saudi Arabia.
Today we are seeing the opening stages of the collapse of the Arab monarchies, and most importantly, of Saudi Arabia.
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Most of the international attention to Saudi Arabia’s current threat environment has focused on Iran. The Iranian threat to the Saudis has grown in direct proportion to the nObama administration’s determination to realign the US away from its traditional Sunni allies and towards Iran. The conclusion of the US-led nuclear pact with Tehran has exacerbated Iran’s regional aggression as it no longer fears US retaliation for its threats to the Sunni monarchies.
Most of the international attention to Saudi Arabia’s current threat environment has focused on Iran. The Iranian threat to the Saudis has grown in direct proportion to the nObama administration’s determination to realign the US away from its traditional Sunni allies and towards Iran. The conclusion of the US-led nuclear pact with Tehran has exacerbated Iran’s regional aggression as it no longer fears US retaliation for its threats to the Sunni monarchies.
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But Iran is just the most visible of three existential threats now besetting the House of Saud.
But Iran is just the most visible of three existential threats now besetting the House of Saud.
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The most profound threat to the world’s largest oil power is economic.
The most profound threat to the world’s largest oil power is economic.
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The drop in world oil prices has endangered the kingdom.
The drop in world oil prices has endangered the kingdom.
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As David Goldman reported last week in the Asia Times, according to an International Monetary Fund analysis, the collapse in Saudi oil revenues “threatens to exhaust the kingdom’s $700 billion in financial reserves within five years.”
As David Goldman reported last week in the Asia Times, according to an International Monetary Fund analysis, the collapse in Saudi oil revenues “threatens to exhaust the kingdom’s $700 billion in financial reserves within five years.”
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The house of Saud’s hold on power owes to its oil-subsidized economy. As Goldman noted, last month dwindling revenues forced the Saudis to cut subsidies for water, electricity and gasoline.
The house of Saud’s hold on power owes to its oil-subsidized economy. As Goldman noted, last month dwindling revenues forced the Saudis to cut subsidies for water, electricity and gasoline.
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According to Goldman, Riyadh’s mass execution of 43 long-jailed prisoners at the start of the month was an attempt by the aging royal house to demonstrate its firm control of events. But the very fact the Saudi regime believed it was necessary to stage such a demonstration shows that it is in distress.
According to Goldman, Riyadh’s mass execution of 43 long-jailed prisoners at the start of the month was an attempt by the aging royal house to demonstrate its firm control of events. But the very fact the Saudi regime believed it was necessary to stage such a demonstration shows that it is in distress.
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The third existential threat the regime now faces is Islamic State. Since 1979, the Saudis have sought to deflect domestic opposition by promoting Wahabist Islam at home and Wahabist jihad beyond its borders.
The third existential threat the regime now faces is Islamic State. Since 1979, the Saudis have sought to deflect domestic opposition by promoting Wahabist Islam at home and Wahabist jihad beyond its borders.
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Now, with Islamic State in control over large swathes of neighboring Iraq, as well as Syria and Libya and threatening the Saudi-supported Sisi regime in Egypt, the Saudi royal family faces the rising threat of blowback. Some analysts argue that given the popular support for jihad in Saudi Arabia, were Islamic State to cross the Saudi border, its forces would be greeted with flowers, not bullets.
Now, with Islamic State in control over large swathes of neighboring Iraq, as well as Syria and Libya and threatening the Saudi-supported Sisi regime in Egypt, the Saudi royal family faces the rising threat of blowback. Some analysts argue that given the popular support for jihad in Saudi Arabia, were Islamic State to cross the Saudi border, its forces would be greeted with flowers, not bullets.
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If the House of Saud falls, then the Gulf emirates will also be imperiled.
If the House of Saud falls, then the Gulf emirates will also be imperiled.
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The Egyptian regime, which is bankrolled by the Saudis and its Gulf allies will also be endangered. The Hashemite monarchy in Jordan, which is protected by the US and by Israel, will face unprecedented threats.
The Egyptian regime, which is bankrolled by the Saudis and its Gulf allies will also be endangered. The Hashemite monarchy in Jordan, which is protected by the US and by Israel, will face unprecedented threats.
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The implications of expanding chaos – or worse – in Arabia are not limited to the Middle East. The global economy as well as the security of Europe and the US will be imperiled.
The implications of expanding chaos – or worse – in Arabia are not limited to the Middle East. The global economy as well as the security of Europe and the US will be imperiled.
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Obviously, the order of the day is for the US security guarantee to Saudi Arabia to be reinforced, mainly through straightforward US action against Iranian naval aggression and ballistic missile development.
Obviously, the order of the day is for the US security guarantee to Saudi Arabia to be reinforced, mainly through straightforward US action against Iranian naval aggression and ballistic missile development.
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Unfortunately, the nObama administration can be depended on to take just the opposite approach. And as a consequence, at least for the next year, the main thing propping up the Gulf monarchies, and with them, the global economy and what passes for global security, is a failed state with an itchy finger on the nuclear trigger.
Unfortunately, the nObama administration can be depended on to take just the opposite approach. And as a consequence, at least for the next year, the main thing propping up the Gulf monarchies, and with them, the global economy and what passes for global security, is a failed state with an itchy finger on the nuclear trigger.
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