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a quasi Saudi approach

Reader comment on item: Yes, Support the Syrian Rebels

Submitted by myth (Germany), Jan 30, 2014 at 05:25

I share the view to exhaust both sides in Syria supporting whichever side is the weaker one. Yes, there is a cynical flavour to this. From a standpoint of policy I find it similar to the greater Saudi approach.

The Saudis approach applies the tactic of supporting both sides to the conflict between the Western World (incl. Israel) and the islamists.

The Saudis support the Sunni Islamists in order check Western influence in the ME and have them fight shiite groups. But they limit that support for they do not want Sunni islamists to take over the autocratic regimes in the ME including their own. Their general support for islamism ends when the islamists in Iran, or any other country in the region, want nuclear weapons.

The Saudis support the West and Israel to protect their country militarily, deter Iran, and thereby secure the autocratic regimes in the ME, the status quo. Any Western cultural influence as a threat to Islam limits this support.

How does supporting the Sunni islamists and supporting the West go together?

Territory: Ideally the Sunni islamists act in the Western World. At best, they fight shiites outside of Saudi Arabia.

hard/soft values: Saudia Arabia welcomes the hard value of Western military power but rejects the soft values of Western society.

Roles: Islamists protect Islam. The US protects Saudi Arabia.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (28) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
a quasi Saudi approach [224 words]mythJan 30, 2014 05:25212885
So the idea is destroy Syria to benefit Israel? [14 words]Petros HouhoulisJan 23, 2014 03:07212762
What is the future that the West (NATO and Israel) wish for Syria? [495 words]AlexandrosJan 22, 2014 13:53212757
Sorry, Dr. Pipes, but I must disagree [128 words]Kepha HorJan 9, 2014 19:20212535
1Evil will Never triumph -Putin's Way is the Only Way [106 words]Michael Hanni MorcosJan 4, 2014 23:34212476
1Die Endgültige Lösung [99 words]UgriJan 8, 2014 02:46212476
12014 Carrys 2013's Baggage of Failures - Syria with Iran in the Background [408 words]M. ToveyJan 9, 2014 13:56212476
6Support islamists today and they will kill you tomorrow [139 words]Anti-muslim brotherhood EgyptianDec 24, 2013 08:37212289
2Wrong [126 words]alfredDec 24, 2013 05:15212287
1Choose the best among all bad [86 words]NuritGDec 21, 2013 12:57212258
1and then what? [48 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
michael rosenbaumDec 20, 2013 18:47212247
Advantages of supporting a rebel victory [189 words]Dan SimonJan 3, 2014 14:24212247
Love it! [5 words]ValinDec 20, 2013 18:33212245
Alternatives to the rebels [41 words]David W. LincolnDec 20, 2013 13:06212242
11Wafa' Sultan and Syria [260 words]dhimmi no moreDec 20, 2013 07:45212240
1Look out ! You may one day regret your support for jihadists . [93 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
IanusDec 19, 2013 18:40212231
5Islamists in Syria are savages and criminals [142 words]dhimmi no moreDec 21, 2013 16:01212231
2" What is more important in world history? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire?" [135 words]IanusDec 22, 2013 10:48212231
2anger is the primer and respect of life is the only solution for peace [108 words]Michael Hanni MorcosDec 19, 2013 17:50212229
Not so fast on supporting the Islamic Front [143 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Ed from Cleveland HeightsDec 19, 2013 17:34212228
5Can NOT support any help for rebels ... [87 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
kmanDec 19, 2013 16:27212226
3An enemy of an enemy is not a friend [146 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Doug MayfieldDec 19, 2013 13:57212224
2It does not matter [23 words]Robin RosenblattDec 19, 2013 10:41212220
1Hold your nose; least bad of poor choices [90 words]YosefDec 19, 2013 09:50212218
The Losing Side of History [109 words]KhachkarianDec 19, 2013 09:02212217
Practical benefits of continued Civil War. [153 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
samuel amaralDec 19, 2013 08:57212216
Yes, Support the Syrian Rebels - To What End? [81 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Bill NarveyDec 19, 2013 08:33212214
2Are we needed? [26 words]JasonDec 20, 2013 22:01212214

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