Tuesday, June 15, 2004
A Pissing Contest with Razor Blades
From Reuters:
In case anyone still doubted that this was going to happen, I present this newswire report as exhibit A. After the impact of the Nick Berg video on the situation, Al Qaeda has found a perfect way to further exacerbate the fragmentary, covetous relationship between the US and the Saudis. Tensions have been growing lately to a point not seen in years. The US has even pleaded with Americans to leave Saudi Arabia, not long ago considered a bastion of the potential for US relations in the Middle East.
The Saudis are facing a serious internal threat which may, at the extreme, cause the fall of the House of Saud. At a more realistic viewpoint, the current instability in Saudi Arabia will hamstring any potential goodwill the US can project in the Middle East. The few countries, such as Jordan, who have made some effort to work with the US on national relations will have no popular support for such a stance in view of the current situation facing the Saudis.
The instability in Saudi Arabia is a microcosm of the grander struggle against the selling-out of traditional Muslim and Arab beliefs. The House of Saud, like its American cousin the House of Bush, has long lauded extremist religions dogma only to act in a fashion which demonstrates a complete lack of respect for said religion. Traditional Muslims have no voice, and no opportunity to work around the current US-Saudi stranglehold on international relations. When religion is so blatantly and violently used as a means for political power, it can only bring about an ultimate resistance by those who adhere to its dogma.
Al Qaeda is using this hostage situation in a way both expected and inescapable. So long as personal freedoms exists, there will also exist groups which prey upon such freedoms to pursue personal causes. For good or ill, this is simply the case. I fear that Paul Johnson, the American hostage, has been the unfortunate victim in a much larger conflict.
The Saudis will not budge, Johnson will be slaughtered, and absolutely nothing will have changed in the big picture. The Saudis will still hold power, Al Qaeda will seek to exploit a new weakness, and the Paul Johnson's death will pass quickly from the memory of most everyone...
DUBAI - A statement purporting to be from al Qaeda said on Tuesday the group would kill an American hostage in Saudi Arabia unless authorities released jailed militants within 72 hours.
If the tyrants in the Saudi government want to secure the release of the American hostage, they must release our mujahideen held hostage in its jails. They have 72 hours from today or else we will sacrifice him," said the statement, carried on an Islamist Web site.
The statement was signed by the Qaeda Organization in the Arabian Peninsula and published on an Islamist Web site that has carried similar messages in the past.
On Saturday, al Qaeda said was holding U.S. engineer Paul Johnson, the first Westerner to be kidnapped in the wave of militant attacks in the kingdom that began more than a year ago.
The Web site showed pictures of Johnson, blindfolded and wearing an orange uniform, sitting in a chair. It also gave a link to a video which it said showed him in captivity.
"The blood of Muslims is being spilled all over the globe and by the will of God, the blood of this parasite will flow in the rivers of blood of Crusaders that will run this blessed year," the statement said. It was accompanied by a picture of Saudi al Qaeda leader Abdul Aziz al-Muqrin.
Saudi Arabia has arrested and killed scores of militants in its crackdown on al Qaeda, which has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly suicide bombings and shooting attacks against Westerners
In case anyone still doubted that this was going to happen, I present this newswire report as exhibit A. After the impact of the Nick Berg video on the situation, Al Qaeda has found a perfect way to further exacerbate the fragmentary, covetous relationship between the US and the Saudis. Tensions have been growing lately to a point not seen in years. The US has even pleaded with Americans to leave Saudi Arabia, not long ago considered a bastion of the potential for US relations in the Middle East.
The Saudis are facing a serious internal threat which may, at the extreme, cause the fall of the House of Saud. At a more realistic viewpoint, the current instability in Saudi Arabia will hamstring any potential goodwill the US can project in the Middle East. The few countries, such as Jordan, who have made some effort to work with the US on national relations will have no popular support for such a stance in view of the current situation facing the Saudis.
The instability in Saudi Arabia is a microcosm of the grander struggle against the selling-out of traditional Muslim and Arab beliefs. The House of Saud, like its American cousin the House of Bush, has long lauded extremist religions dogma only to act in a fashion which demonstrates a complete lack of respect for said religion. Traditional Muslims have no voice, and no opportunity to work around the current US-Saudi stranglehold on international relations. When religion is so blatantly and violently used as a means for political power, it can only bring about an ultimate resistance by those who adhere to its dogma.
Al Qaeda is using this hostage situation in a way both expected and inescapable. So long as personal freedoms exists, there will also exist groups which prey upon such freedoms to pursue personal causes. For good or ill, this is simply the case. I fear that Paul Johnson, the American hostage, has been the unfortunate victim in a much larger conflict.
The Saudis will not budge, Johnson will be slaughtered, and absolutely nothing will have changed in the big picture. The Saudis will still hold power, Al Qaeda will seek to exploit a new weakness, and the Paul Johnson's death will pass quickly from the memory of most everyone...
