The hypocrisy of power

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A Skeptical Eye: Saudi King Condemns Syrian Crackdown

Demands for 'Comprehensive Reforms' Ring Hollow After Role in Bahrain Attack

by Jason Ditz at antiwar.com

As the massacres in Syria get bigger and more frequent — one today killed 59 in an eastern city — a number of factions the world over have turned against the Assad regime on the matter, with everyone from the Vatican to the Arab League calling for an immediate end to the violence. The latest came today, when the Saudi King demanded “comprehensive reforms” in the Ba’athist country.

Taken at face value the comments seem fairly uncontroversial, a simple rehash of what most other nations are saying now. Saudi Arabia, however, is not just any nation but is a regional power which has acted with utmost cynicism with regard to the Arab Spring revolts.

Having eagerly taken in the first dictator ousted by protests, Zine el-Abidine bin Ali of Tunisia, the Saudi government followed up with an invasion of Bahrain to violently put down pro-democracy rallies there, while taking a very Syrian tack in their own crackdown on protesters in Qatf. Mass arrests and accusations of “sedition” were and are the order of the day for reformists within the Saudi Kingdom, and it eagerly facilitates crackdowns by neighboring regimes.

The difference, then, lies in Syria’s precarious position in Middle East power struggles. The Assad regime is Shi’ite (Alawite, Alevis...which explains its closeness to Shia Iran), albeit in a largely Sunni country. This would put it in the same position as the Sunni Bahraini royal family on that mostly Shi’ite island, but Saudi Arabia, which still envisions itself as a “defender of the faith” in sort of a 16th century Holy Roman Empire way, is more than willing to cynically hold a double standard if it means getting one up on the Shi’ites of the region.

Of course backing the protesters is also a recognition of the reality that the protest movement is growing by leaps and bounds despite of, and in many cases because of, the violent crackdowns. The US also jumped on the protester bandwagon a few months in (and reiterated their stance today), as did al-Qaeda’s new leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Though the Assad regime still exudes confidence about its position, it seems that the knee-jerk moves toward heavy-handed violence reveal a growing fear that the pro-democracy movement is simply growing too big to stop.

Webster Tarpley and the Arab Revolutions

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SAUDIS GET PAKISTAN HELP VERSUS CIA?
By aangirfan, Youtube presentation from Infowars and Alex Jones radio show.




VIDEO: Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia gets Pakistani military support to counter any CIA Colour Revolution.

A Russia-Saudi-Pakistan-China Bloc could challenge Wall St. and the City of London

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aangirfan: BIG CHANGES - SAUDI ARABIA TO TUNISIA

Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif served two terms, and as with Benazir his performance became progressively worse. He has had his two innings, and in both he was out for a duck, and it is well advised that he remain quietly in the bench for the rest of the match. I am aware that elements from Britain, via Saudi prodded him to re-enter Pakistan against the better advice, and the wisdom of past experience, but the administration in Pakistan must find more effective ways to advise him to ‘shut up’. Considering that he committed many illegalities during his two terms, and many more billions of state money disappeared into black holes, or is it bank holes he should consider himself lucky living in palatial surroundings, in the lap of luxury all paid for by illegally appropriate state funds.

The man is unsuitable for President, his demeanor says it. He has a high sex drive, so dangle a blond bimbo in front of him and he will sell his country or his own mother, which ever is easier. His other weakness is his love of money. Some would say that he worships this more than he worships GOD.

Sharif constantly argues that during his two terms the military constantly interfered with his administration. My point would be that even if he were given a third opportunity, how would that improve the performance of his administration? Presumably the military would still be acting as before. Pakistan is at a very critical juncture, and there is instability, of which a small percentage is being contributed by Sharif.

Unfortunately as I read and watch the news, this highly corrupt individual has been allowed back, through pressure from the USA/UK, and with Saudi prodding. He has been given a ‘wish list’ by his masters in the West, and he will be hammering it on the airwaves from now until he achieves power, in unison with Benazir. One questions the judgment of the military men who allowed him back into the country at this critical juncture, and precisely who the military men take their orders from?

The country is doomed with these two 'politicians'. Why can't the military fix it so that 'normal' people can run these two parties, and end some of the problems the military and the country faces. Are we saying a nation like Pakistan does not have a few better people than these two corrupt clowns. Military have to realise that they can't run the country by themselves, so they need good civilian administrators and politicians. So why can't the military talent spot them, from within Pakistan?