Netanyahu's Iran speech gains tacit support in Saudi Arabia

[webfact]

Netanyahu's Iran speech gains tacit support in Saudi Arabia
By AYA BATRAWY

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fiery speech this week before the U.S. Congress, in which he argued against an emerging nuclear deal with Iran, has received tacit support from an unlikely quarter -- Saudi Arabia.

The oil-rich Sunni kingdom views Shiite Iran as a regional rival that is perhaps even more menacing than Israel.

That was clear in a string of columns this week published in Saudi state-linked media, which is widely seen as reflecting official views and mainstream thought in the kingdom, and which voiced skepticism of President Barack Obama's efforts to broker a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran.

"Who could believe that Netanyahu today has taken a better stand than Obama with regard to the Iranian nuclear file?" columnist Ahmed al-Faraj wrote, saying he was quoting a recent remark by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). The opinion piece in the Saudi-owned al-Jazira newspaper on Monday, a day before the speech, reflects sentiment shared among some in the Gulf.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in the Saudi capital to ease Gulf concerns about the negotiations with Iran, which are aimed at reaching a framework agreement this month and a final deal later this year. Kerry is meeting with the foreign ministers of the Sunni-ruled Gulf states and the new Saudi monarch King Salman.

Like Israel, Saudi Arabia has long viewed Iran as an expansionist power that seeks to dominate the region through local proxies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip and Shiite militias in Iraq. Saudi Arabia and Iran are fighting a proxy war in Syria, with the kingdom arming the rebels seeking to topple Iranian-backed President Bashar Assad.

In a column published in Asharq al-Awsat, a daily owned by King Salman's family, Abdulrahman al-Rashed wrote "Iran's fingerprints are everywhere."

"Iran is currently in an offensive state, the likes of which we have not seen in modern history," he wrote.

Netanyahu said as much to Congress, telling lawmakers that Iran is "gobbling up" nations in its "march of conquest, subjugation and terror."

Saudi Arabia is part of the U.S.-led coalition striking the Islamic State group, awkwardly putting it on the same side as Iran, which is battling the extremists through its allied Shiite militias in Iraq and by supporting Assad. The kingdom, like the U.S., has refused to coordinate its efforts with Tehran.

Netanyahu's argument that "when it comes to Iran and ISIS, the enemy of your enemy is your enemy," resonates in Riyadh, where the royal family is concerned about a possible U.S.-Iranian rapprochement.

Despite the alignment of interests, Saudis still view Israel as an illegitimate occupier of Arab and Muslim lands, and any kind of open alliance is out of the question.

An editorial in al-Medina newspaper ridiculed Netanyahu's insistence that he had traveled to Washington out of concern for Israel's security and not to boost his prospects ahead of elections later this month. The editorial said it was ironic that he spoke of Israel's need for security despite "hundreds of (Israeli) massacres against Palestinians and Arabs over more than six decades."

An editorial by the al-Sharq newspaper went so far as to suggest that Netanyahu wants to scuttle the deal in order to allow Iran to get nuclear weapons, "which will not be directed toward Israel, but toward the Arabs, so that Iran can see its project through and achieve what Israel could not." But the editorial did note that his assessment that Tehran is expanding was "right."

Saudi columnist Dawoud al-Shiryan wrote in al-Hayat that if Israel was so worried about Iran getting nuclear weapons, "why haven't they stopped it by force as they always do?"


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-06

[Ulysses G.]

Netanyahu's speech was brilliant and even many Saudis see it. Pure common sense that has alerted he general public to the stupidity of Obama's "deal". Hopefully, Congress will intervene and stop him from giving away the store and allowing Iran to develop nukes, just so he can pretend that he got some sort of foreign policy "victory".

Edited March 6, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[than]

The enemies of my enemy is my friends

[realenglish1]

I was emotional when I listened to Netanyahu's speach . The reason is because it range true. As with most of what Obama does there is little substance to it and more smoke and mirrors.

He wants to go down as a leader of great foreign policy. But in the end it will fail. Look what happened to North Korea. They had a deal and then 2 years after the deal

the North just resumed its building of nukes. What is different with Iran. Nothing

Obama has been a very poor president Not standing in reality

[oneday]

This is the danger of a lame-duck president who has absolutely NO frickin' IDEA what he is doing.

He is like a little child playing with a Cobra and not even knowing what a snake is, let alone a deadly poisonous snake such as Iran.

[Grouse]

Are there any grown ups out there?

It's P5+1 not just that diplomatic power house the USA

Saudi are supporting ISIS!

Who flew aircraft into buildings?

For me, Iran is a great counter balance to that nut case Benny Yahoo......

[Chicog]

Netanyahu's speech was brilliant and even many Saudis see it.

Many Saudis would also be up for beheading infidels and exterminating the Shi'a.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Netanyahu's speech was brilliant and even many Saudis see it. Pure common sense that has alerted he general public to the stupidity of Obama's "deal". Hopefully, Congress will intervene and stop him from giving away the store and allowing Iran to develop nukes, just so he can pretend that he got some sort of foreign policy "victory".

HMMM, congress intervening to try and stop Obama from doing something (or everything/anything)???

What world do you live in where that could ever be a possibility???

[hard124get]

Saudi , Israel and ISIS are allies. Israel has a hospital on the Syrian border where they patch up ISIS and sent them back to fight Assad. This is the real axis of evil !

[Ulysses G.]

Saudi , Israel and ISIS are allies.

Sounds like yet another very foolish conspiracy theory.

[up-country_sinclair]

Israel and Saudi Arabia are the two most disingenuous "allies" that the United States" is saddled with. The best course of action would be to cut them both off starting today and let them stand on their own for awhile. Saudi Arabia would come crying when ISIS starts knocking at their door, and Israel would do the same when it can't hide behind our skirt at the UN.

Netanyahu's speech was brilliant and even many Saudis see it. Pure common sense that has alerted he general public to the stupidity of Obama's "deal". Hopefully, Congress will intervene and stop him from giving away the store and allowing Iran to develop nukes, just so he can pretend that he got some sort of foreign policy "victory".

HMMM, congress intervening to try and stop Obama from doing something (or everything/anything)???

What world do you live in where that could ever be a possibility???

You're right. Of course it's not a possibility. The Senate can't even muster enough votes to get past a filibuster much less a presidential veto.

This campaign speech by Netanyahu hasn't affected and will not affect the negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran and that's not a surprise to anyone except the "Israel Firsters".

Edited March 6, 2015 by up-country_sinclair

[LuckyLew]

Netanyahoo is nothing but a terrorist

give me ... give me ... do what I want ... do what I want ...

Like a little baby crying

If every decision is not in his favor he yells and screams and huff and puffs

So you do not like the USA decision ... then stop taking their money

and stop asking for more ...

He wants his cake and eat it too

[Rancid]

Saudi , Israel and ISIS are allies.

Sounds like yet another very foolish conspiracy theory.

It would to those that read nothing but the corporate media, doesn't mean it's true but it fits the facts as well as any other. At the very least the whole thing ISIS is suspicious.

As an aside did you know the CIA phyops termed the phrase 'conspiracy theory' ? It was to be used to discredit "unapproved" viewpoints. Think it's been working?

[Srikcir]

Congress will insist that Obama require their approval before the Deal is legal. Senate Democrats won't allow the bill to pass, so no Presidential veto will be needed. And if it did pass, the Senate will not be able to override the veto.

All the Republicans "concerns" about the unknown terms of the Deal is publicity for the sake of 2016 elections. They use Netanyahu for their own political purposes as much as Netanyahu uses them. Possible outcomes:

- Iran and the P-6 agree to a Deal and US Congressional Republicans do not interfere. Next year Obama and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif receive Noble Peace Prize for Peace. Republicans are angered because it weakens their foreign policy in upcoming Presidential election.

- Iran and the P-6 agree to a Deal and US Congressional Republicans attempt to pass a bill keeping Obama from lifting sanctions against Iran, effectivley killing the Deal. Republicans fail to get majority veto override. Next year Obama and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif receive Noble Peace Prize for Peace. Republicans are angered because it weakens their foreign policy in upcoming Presidential election.

- Iran refuses the Deal, negotiations end, and P6 place further sanctions.

Notice that Netanyahu is not part of any negotiation outcome. And for good reason.

[Steely Dan]

Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see this coming a mile off. The Saudis are facing the same existential threat as Israel and so Kerry doesn't have a snowball in hells chance of persuading them that the P-6 deal with Iran is to be trusted.

I can see three scenarios.

1. Iran refuse the deal. I find this the least likely scenario. It all depends on who they want to place in the most difficult spot Israel or Obama.

2. The deal is agreed. Saudi Arabia presses ahead with their own nuclear weapons program causing Iran to rennage on the deal and an arms race begins. Good luck with an oil embargo on Saudi Arabia.

3. Israel decides to take out the Iranian nuclear program. If this happens my money would be on them overflying Saudi airspace seeing as I suspect Obama would order any Israeli planes shot down if he could.

[sdanielmcev]

The plot thickens.

[NeverSure]

Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see this coming a mile off. The Saudis are facing the same existential threat as Israel and so Kerry doesn't have a snowball in hells chance of persuading them that the P-6 deal with Iran is to be trusted.

I can see three scenarios.

1. Iran refuse the deal. I find this the least likely scenario. It all depends on who they want to place in the most difficult spot Israel or Obama.

2. The deal is agreed. Saudi Arabia presses ahead with their own nuclear weapons program causing Iran to rennage on the deal and an arms race begins. Good luck with an oil embargo on Saudi Arabia.

3. Israel decides to take out the Iranian nuclear program. If this happens my money would be on them overflying Saudi airspace seeing as I suspect Obama would order any Israeli planes shot down if he could.

Good points. Now I wonder how many US fighter jockeys would follow orders to shoot down planes. I realize that military members are steeped in following orders, but at some point wouldn't someone say "this is crazy - the POTUS is a loon"?

[Choctastic]

I suspect Obama would order any Israeli planes shot down if he could.

Right. Just like the POTUS shot down the Israeli planes attacking the USS Liberty.

[Steely Dan]

Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see this coming a mile off. The Saudis are facing the same existential threat as Israel and so Kerry doesn't have a snowball in hells chance of persuading them that the P-6 deal with Iran is to be trusted.

I can see three scenarios.

1. Iran refuse the deal. I find this the least likely scenario. It all depends on who they want to place in the most difficult spot Israel or Obama.

2. The deal is agreed. Saudi Arabia presses ahead with their own nuclear weapons program causing Iran to rennage on the deal and an arms race begins. Good luck with an oil embargo on Saudi Arabia.

3. Israel decides to take out the Iranian nuclear program. If this happens my money would be on them overflying Saudi airspace seeing as I suspect Obama would order any Israeli planes shot down if he could.

Good points. Now I wonder how many US fighter jockeys would follow orders to shoot down planes. I realize that military members are steeped in following orders, but at some point wouldn't someone say "this is crazy - the POTUS is a loon"?

I'm not sure of the details of U.S military agreements for the use of U.S bases in Saudi Arabia, but if Saudi consent were required then Israeli jets would have a clear path through to Iran without overflying Iraqi airspace. I admit it seems crazy thinking in these terms, but with an Obama regime which leaked the fact Israeli had been given permission by Azerbaijan to station their planes there I really do wonder what Obama would do if faced with his sole foreign policy 'success' going up in smoke before he left office.

[Chicog]

Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see this coming a mile off. The Saudis are facing the same existential threat as Israel and so Kerry doesn't have a snowball in hells chance of persuading them that the P-6 deal with Iran is to be trusted.

I can see three scenarios.

1. Iran refuse the deal. I find this the least likely scenario. It all depends on who they want to place in the most difficult spot Israel or Obama.

2. The deal is agreed. Saudi Arabia presses ahead with their own nuclear weapons program causing Iran to rennage on the deal and an arms race begins. Good luck with an oil embargo on Saudi Arabia.

3. Israel decides to take out the Iranian nuclear program. If this happens my money would be on them overflying Saudi airspace seeing as I suspect Obama would order any Israeli planes shot down if he could.

4. The P5+1 ( Have you STILL not worked out what the P stands for?) Deal goes through and the Saudis are happy that Iran does not have nuclear weapons.

Which would be the most likely scenario if the traitorous republicans fail in sabotaging the deal.