What does President Trump’s recent nomination of retired Army General John Abizaid to become the next U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia signify? Next to nothing — and arguably quite a lot. Abizaid’s proposed appointment is both a non-event and an opportunity not to be wasted. It means next to nothing in this sense: while once […]
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Archives for 2018
Kushner vastly overstated $14.5 bn. in US Arms Purchases by Saudis as $110 Bn
The reason behind US President Donald Trump’s reluctance to hold Saudi Arabia responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was an ambitious $110 billion arms deal between Washington and Riyadh which had been inflated at the direction of his adviser and son-in-law, ABC News reported Monday. Jared Kushner pushed State and Defence Department officials to […]
Tunisia Demos: “The people want Bin Salman to be judged”, “No to the killer of Yemeni children”
Tunis (AFP) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks in Tunisia on Tuesday as hundreds of protesters rallied against his visit, urging justice over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and condemning the Yemen war. Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, who flew in from Cairo, met with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi before […]
Bowing to Saudi Pressure, Trump stops UN Yemen Ceasefire (-CNN)
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – CNN reports that the Trump administration has turned against a UN Security Council resolution calling for a Yemen ceasefire and is now blocking it. The five permanent members of the UNSC have the ability to veto resolutions, so US hostility to it is fatal for the measure. Annual Informed Comment […]
Somehow Despite Trump “Tax Cut,” GM to fire 15% of Workers, Shutter Plants
by Heather SCOTT | – Washington (AFP) – In a massive restructuring, US auto giant General Motors announced Monday it will cut 15 percent of its workforce to save $6 billion and adapt to “changing market conditions.” The moves include shuttering seven plants worldwide as the company responds to changing customer preferences and focuses on […]
Emirates Bows to Int’l Pressure, Releases Jailed UK Ph.D. Student
By Shatha Yaish Abu Dhabi (AFP) – The United Arab Emirates on Monday pardoned British academic Matthew Hedges just days after sentencing him to life in prison for spying in a case that stunned Britain and his family. The UK thanked its Gulf ally and Hedges’s wife expressed her joy after he was among more […]
‘Blue Wave’ Dems in House to Probe Trump Money ties to Saudis & Russians
Washington (AFP) – Democrats intend to probe US President Donald Trump’s financial ties to determine whether they are the “hidden hand” driving US foreign policy on Russia and Saudi Arabia, the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday. Adam Schiff, currently the ranking Democrat on that committee, accused Trump of being “dishonest” about […]
We can Break Saudi Arabia’s Hold over the US by Driving Electric Cars
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump has openly and consistently given Saudi control of oil prices as the reason for which he doesn’t want to sanction Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman for having dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi murdered and then dismembered. Trump is, as usual, wildly exaggerating. Saudi Arabia produces perhaps 11% of the […]
Syrian Kurdish Women March to End Gender-Based Violence
Qamishli (Syria) (AFP) – Hundreds of female protesters took to the streets of the Syrian Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli on Sunday to call for an end to violence against women. Some banging large drums and others ululating, they marched through the streets, an AFP correspondent said. “Underage marriage is a crime,” said one sign held […]
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