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"Who's Allied With Whom?" Putin & The Saudi Caravan

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Authored by Pepe Escobar, originally posted at SputnikNews.com,

No one – as usual - saw it coming.

So guess who walks into a room in St. Petersburg this past Thursday; Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince – and Defense Minister – Muhammad bin Salman, favorite son of King Salman; Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (former ambassador to the US and very close to key players in the Beltway); and all-powerful Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi. They were all there for a face-to-face with President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. 

 

In principle, there could not be a more spectacular game-changer-in-waiting. A royal Saudi caravan offering tribute, in the form of incense, gold and myrrh (or higher oil prices)? No one knows, yet, how this will play out in the New Great Game in Eurasia, of which a major spin-off is Cold War 2.0 between the US and Russia.

Putin and King Salman – very discreetly — had been in touch over the phone for weeks. The King’s son invited Putin to Riyadh. Accepted. Putin invited the King to Moscow. Accepted. No question, the suspense is already killing everybody. But is this real life? Or smoke and mirrors?

Who's allied with whom?

First of all, the crucial energy front. Putin is now discussing what was, so far, an oil price war but may become – and the operative concept is “maybe” – a “petroleum alliance” (in Naimi’s words), directly with the source: the House of Saud.

Assuming this entente cordiale will eventually lead to an oil price rise, Putin scores a major internal victory against what could be described as an Atlanticist Fifth Column trying to undermine Russia’s multipolar drive. Moreover, geoeconomically, it doesn’t hurt that Moscow is now able to add Saudi Arabia as a top purchaser of superior Russian defense systems.

Russian intelligence is fully aware that the House of Saud has been tremendously “disappointed” – and that’s a monster euphemism – with the self-described “Don’t Do Stupid Stuff” Obama administration, for a vast number of reasons, not least the concrete possibility of an Iran-P5+1 nuclear deal on June 30, which is code for Washington finally accepting to breach its own Wall of Mistrust against the Islamic Republic, built 36 years ago.

A highest-level meeting with the House of Saud, on top of it in Russia, ruffles infinite feathers in the Beltway. This won’t go unpunished – for both Moscow and Riyadh. After all, real Masters of the Universe – not their paperboys in different sectors of the US government — have been mulling for a while how to dump the House of Saud.  

Russian intelligence also knows that in Washington, the House of Saud actually depends on the good favors of the Israeli lobby – and it’s all about demonizing Iran. And now an Iran nuclear deal – which will “normalize” Tehran with the West – could not provoke a more glowing red alert in an already vulnerable Riyadh. 

Putin’s message to Iran is more sophisticated. Moscow has been very active working for a successful Iranian nuclear deal; so that invalidates the theory Moscow might be starting to play Riyadh to extract “concessions” from Tehran.

There are no “concessions”. Russia — and eventually Iran — will both provide energy to European markets. Not immediately, because the upgrading of Iranian infrastructure will take years and torrents of investment. But as soon as next year, a non-sanctioned Iran may be finally admitted to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).  

So Iran won’t be turning feverishly pro-West from one day to another – as much as some, non-neocon Beltway factions dream. Iran will be solidifying its regional power; engaging in normalized relations especially with Europeans; but most of all accelerating its Eurasian integration, which implies ever close relations with both Russia and China. Not to mention that in Syria, Iran and Russia are exactly on the same geopolitical page, which happens to be totally opposed to the House of Saud’s. 

Putin’s move also carries the potential of isolating Qatar – which is indirectly, but very effectively, subsidizing al-Qaeda in Syria to facilitate its ultimate geoeconomic aim; a natural gas pipeline from South Pars through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to the Mediterranean coast.

The rival project happens to be the Iran-Iraq-Syria pipeline, which is now perennially threatened as a great deal of “Syraq” is under the vise grip of ISIS/ISIL/Daesh. Here, we see the fake Caliphate supporting Qatari designs, geoeconomically, and Saudi, geopolitically.

What is certain is that the top-level Saudi pilgrimage to St. Petersburg could not be more antithetical to (disgraced) Bandar Bush threatening Putin in August 2013 to unleash Chechen jihadis on Sochi if Moscow didn’t back off on Syria.

Who’s on message?

It's tempting to watch this fabulous unfolding drama as a subplot of the BRICS – mostly Russia and China – advancing in the Middle East, with Washington as the loser. It’s more like Putin playing Multipolar World, not Monopoly, and ensuring the Empire of Chaos will really have to sweat to keep its puppet/vassal blocs, such as the GCC, “on message.”

It remains to be seen, long-term, whether this is not a desperate Saudi play to extract “concessions” from its imperial protector. But assuming this is a real deal, Moscow retains the ability to match both Iran and Saudi Arabia’s interests, and ensure this concerted “pivoting to the Middle East” may turn out to be as spectacular as Russia’s “pivoting to Asia” and China’s New Silk Roads. 
 
There is no evidence so far to attest that the House of Saud has conclusively seen which way the wind is blowing, that is, towards the 21st century Silk Road Eurasian caravan, no matter any exceptionalist wishful thinking to the contrary.
 
They are fearful; they are paranoid; they are vulnerable; and they need new “friends”. No one better than Putin – and Russian intelligence — to play the new groove in multiple ways. The House of Saud can hardly be trusted; see the latest, Wikileaks-released, Saudi cables. So this may turn out to be a geopolitical/geoeconomic bonanza. But it can also be a case of keeping your friends close, and your enemies closer. 

 

 

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Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:17 | 6224062 CaptainAmerika
CaptainAmerika's picture

It is perfectly obvious that the whole world is going to hell. The only possible chance that it might not is that we do not attempt to prevent it from doing so: http://www.philiacband.com/propaganda.html

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:25 | 6224096 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Never trust the words of a semite, remember they are allowed to lie, kill, and deceive the unbelievers or those not part of the clique by birth.

If I were the Russians I would be very careful.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:48 | 6224156 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

 

Of course Putin will be careful.

He's probably negotiating  --  after he impounds the ISS  --  the sale of Canada's piece of the space station to the Saudis.

The Canuck politicians are too brain dead to get anything out of a space station.  The most they can do is wear a tee shirt with "I'm With Him" and a picture of the Negro silk screened on it.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:51 | 6224441 Charming Anarchist
Charming Anarchist's picture

Who gets to stand in front of the green screen?

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 09:46 | 6225226 weburke
weburke's picture

just waiting seeming endlessly for the israelys to be ushered to the point that they will attack iran, obomba is setting them up by painting them in as tight a corner as he can, a lot of really OLD ruling guys want the damn armagedden before they die. Cue isis, check, are they ready enough to be blamed for the worst of it yet? Say good riddance to eyesores in jerusalem.

Thu, 06/25/2015 - 15:59 | 6234838 MSimon
MSimon's picture

The Sauds are corrently semi covertly allied with Israel. There are a LOT of former Russians in Israel. Gonna be interesting.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 03:49 | 6224681 strannick
strannick's picture

Nobody is with anybody.

There arent allies, only objectives.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:49 | 6224164 Divine Wind
Divine Wind's picture

 

 

 

While they may have the appearance of wearing bed sheets on their bodies and towels on their heads, the Saudi ruling class are far from stupid. In fact the exact opposite is true. Most are extremely well educated in  U.S. and European institutions and those in power positions within government are chosen due to merit and demonstrable expertise. Far too much hangs in the balance to turn key positions over simply due to heredity. 

The Saudis fully realize there is a major geopolitical shift coming and they are securing relationships of benefit to their national interests.

For the Saudis to be more friendly with Russia does not automatically mean their friendship with the U.S. is finished... but as the posted article points out, it sure makes one wonder what is happening.

 

 

 

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:11 | 6224214 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Persians have always been smarter than Arabs.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:27 | 6224251 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

Is okay.  The joke will be on them (all) anyway.  They actually think Europe is going to be able to pay enough to make all of this destruction profitable.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:40 | 6224413 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

what is your definition of semite?

 

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:56 | 6224454 Atticus Finch
Atticus Finch's picture

Semites are other than Aryans. Jews and Arabs are semites. Persia or Iran is Aryan.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 00:43 | 6224529 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Semite correctly is descendant of Sem (Shem)

Sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japeth   

recent term Aryan is exploited term applied to what is classified IndoEuropean language speakers descended from Scythians (Saka)predominately who from Semite Israel Lost Tribes escaped Assyrian captivities.

True Arabs are semite, but the other often not so much to none at all. Now dna fact.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 01:02 | 6224549 petkovplamen
petkovplamen's picture

both juuz and arabs are semite. according to the babble, they had the same father but dif mothers. problem is the one that call themeselves ashkenazii juuz and anything but. they are Khazarian, white skinned and red haired. Kissinger, Woody Alan are both ashkenazii

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 05:22 | 6224733 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Wrong    Genesis 10: 1-3   Askenaz from Japeth, not Sem (Shem)

 

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 06:18 | 6224760 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

not sure how credible genesis (or the rest of it) is.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:19 | 6224070 BI2
BI2's picture

The TRUTH about the American CONFLICT with RUSSIA >>>> https://biblicisminstitute.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/the-truth-about-the-...

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:28 | 6224255 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

Wow you posted a headline and a link to your blog.  Thanks for contributing exactly nothing to this discussion.

Red.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:52 | 6224446 JR
JR's picture

I gleaned this important quote from the link which in turn helps explain what is happening in Ukraine:

“You must understand. The leading Bolsheviks who took over Russia were not Russians. They hated Russians. They hated Christians. Driven by ethnic hatred they tortured and slaughtered millions of Russians without a shred of human remorse. The October Revolution was not what you call in America the ‘Russian Revolution.’ It was an invasion and conquest over the Russian people. More of my countrymen suffered horrific crimes at their bloodstained hands than any people or nation ever suffered in the entirety of human history. It cannot be understated. Bolshevism was the greatest human slaughter of all time. The fact that most of the world is ignorant of this reality is proof that the global media itself is in the hands of the perpetrators.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008), Nobel-Prize-winning novelist, historian and critic of Communist totalitarianism

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 00:14 | 6224487 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Yes, that is arguably Solzhenitsyns most important testimony.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 00:32 | 6224513 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

+1000

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 03:56 | 6224688 strannick
strannick's picture

Solzhenitsyn was impressed with and hopeful of Putin

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:35 | 6224393 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

but it is not the truth...

the false claim Scythians became Khazars discredits from the correct sections of your site.

here covers some of history and testimonies of witnesses described the Scythians:

Scythians:http://britam.org/collins/Scythians.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 04:26 | 6224705 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Yes   - - - Scottish Declaration of Independence:  "Our Forefathers came from Greater Scythia"

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:21 | 6224083 Big Corked Boots
Big Corked Boots's picture

BH0 has pretty much ruined everything. He's got the reverse Midas touch - everything he touches turns to shit.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:29 | 6224261 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

I'm not sure what is more amazing:  That you think it is accidental/incompetence or that you think he's in charge.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:24 | 6224086 Chupacabra-322
Chupacabra-322's picture

At the highest Compartmentalized Levels, "There all in on it." The rest is PsyOp, False Narrative, Propaganda & Political Theater for mass consumption by the World's Sheeple.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:38 | 6224133 new game
new game's picture

yup, if your not sitting at the table as an oligarchal equel, well, your not in the club.

not that i want to be clubed, but it is true chup....good knowledge though.

the moar i withdraw from humanity the moar i enjoy life...

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:43 | 6224144 Four chan
Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:38 | 6224282 WillyGroper
WillyGroper's picture

"There all in on it."

Been my thoughts for a while.

Where's Mr. Ed Ketchup been? Haven't heard much about his recovery.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 03:28 | 6224672 conscious being
conscious being's picture

Appearently, Mr. [stolen] Ketchup, aka HorseFace, aka Jonny Con was not as in on it as he thought he was. Looks like he tried to back off in Ukraine and the Vicky Knudelman faction put a stop to it by having their ISIS buddies put a few holes in him. Hence the major medivac, which wasn't about just a broken leg after all.

Did it happen like that? Seems to fit the known pieces. Are the Zino-Oligarchs killing each others henchmen/women?

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 04:53 | 6224721 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

There is no evidence Mr Ed was shot.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:25 | 6224097 umdesch4
umdesch4's picture

The problem with these articles is that they try to make sense of a situation via outdated concepts of nations, their politicians, and ideologies. If you don't start your analysis with international banking organizations, and multi-national corporations, your conclusions are all worthless.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:55 | 6224173 Lore
Lore's picture

Care to provide any context? Or was that your attempt to sound wise without actually knowing diddley?

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:32 | 6224268 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

Here is your context:

Name all of the nations on the planet without a privately controlled/owned central bank.

You can cross Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya off that list, by the way.

Mon, 06/29/2015 - 22:32 | 6252429 Lore
Lore's picture

Thank you!

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:08 | 6224188 Elliott Eldrich
Elliott Eldrich's picture

"The problem with these articles is that they try to make sense of a situation via outdated concepts of nations, their politicians, and ideologies. If you don't start your analysis with international banking organizations, and multi-national corporations, your conclusions are all worthless."

This brings to mind the idea of a "Real Map of the World" graphic, showing the relative influence and reach of the major financial powers, along with listings of the major and minor houses, their relative power and spheres of influence, etc. Bonus points for including the relevant motto of each house, such as "Growing Strong," "Winter is Coming," and "Hear Me Roar!" Oh, wait, sorry, that's Game of Thrones, not real life. 

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 01:21 | 6224564 GoinFawr
GoinFawr's picture

The TPP isn't fiction, of course no one who has access to the details can say that for certain

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:54 | 6224314 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

that is shallow west...   with no understanding of these others much older histories

for example, gov "Russian experts" are know nothings, agenda first, expert last..

Stephen Cohen is one of American with reason and logic insight of Russia.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:12 | 6224360 Sparkey
Sparkey's picture

 

Yes, you have it, see the 'TPP' we are entering the age of the Corporations, the Corporations are coming onto their own, the old way is dying but, people cannot discern the new entity which is taking it's place, How will life be in the new age dawning? I don't know and my arrogance tells me; no one else does either!

 

Change is inexorable, people try and plan change, manage change, but in a World of infinite complexity, change finds it's own path and often leads men to a destination far from the one thought inevitable when the plan was imagined.

 

 

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:27 | 6224104 Stoploss
Stoploss's picture

lets put moar vagina in charge  in the US an see what happens...

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:28 | 6224107 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

 

Isn't this a Saudi (and Israeli) ploy, (now that they're bosom buddies) to make the Negro nervous and not sign the Iranian nuclear watchamacallit?

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:23 | 6224243 Wild Theories
Wild Theories's picture

we'll know soon enough next week, June 30, the first deadline for Iran negotiations.

oil price seems to be in holding pattern waiting on that kicker(right or wrong, I don't know).

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:33 | 6224124 Baldrick
Baldrick's picture

zh article from 2009 about Russia, China, and KSA meeting to end petro dollar.

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/chairmans-plan-kill-dollar-about-be-der...

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:35 | 6224128 RMolineaux
RMolineaux's picture

I like Pepe Escobar.  He is the boldest speculator in the field and forces all of us to consider all possibilities.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:57 | 6224179 Renfield
Renfield's picture

Seconded. I have many of his articles in my files. This one is well worth the read.

I agree with the speculaton that SA is seeking friends, and has a finger to the wind. The comments are well founded not to trust them, that it could be a negotiating ploy. But I think the Sauds in fact want in on the post-petrodollar world, and are making deals to make sure they find a seat at the multipolar table. You'd have to be blind not to see world power shifting, and at an accelerating rate. Good business makes good friends.

We will see.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:35 | 6224277 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

Can you think of an instance where dealing with Arabs was not a negotiating ploy, or anyone really for that matter.  It is the name of the game.  The only thing that stands out is how out in the open it is - more leverage being applied.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:38 | 6224134 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Look out below; its about to start raining beards and dresses.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:42 | 6224143 RMolineaux
RMolineaux's picture

The house of Saud is sitting on a powder keg and they know it.  Thousands of their citizens have gone to western universities and many of them will eventually not be willing to play along with a corrupt, medieval monarchy.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:50 | 6224166 Bobbo
Bobbo's picture

Sniffin around after this spiffy new rockets P has been showing to Yemen and Iran!  I wonder what they are thinking in that photo.  Certainly to different kinds of smile going on.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 21:59 | 6224183 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

Oh maybe we will finally get the truth about 9-11 

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:37 | 6224280 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

The truth about 9/11 is only valuable as long as it is secret.  Nobody will spill those beans unless they simply have nothing left to lose and do it out of spite.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:06 | 6224343 Savyindallas
Savyindallas's picture

No insider will reveal truth about 911-ever. The consequences are death -as well as death to your family, your close friends, and descendants. The Kennedy's learned the hard way that once you are part of "The Family", you are in forever. You can't turn back or you and your family suffer unimaginable consequences.  

We are a criminocrasy run by degenerate Internationalist billionaire mafiosos (only they are not Italian) - They own or control the media, Wall Street, Congress and the Presidency. 

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:18 | 6224369 antoninus wilson
antoninus wilson's picture

9/11 September 11th - Jewish Agents - Mossad in America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFvCrXAQZ1s

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:52 | 6224442 Niall Of The Ni...
Niall Of The Nine Hostages's picture

9/11 was the work of the House of Saud, with the approval and collaboration of the White House. Its goal was to provide a rationale for the overthrow of a regime the House of Saud hated and feared and against which the House of Bush had a long-standing feud, and its replacement by something more to their taste.

Unlike Riyadh, Israel has nuclear weapons and an army capable of fighting a real war, and winning. Saddam Hussein was no real threat to her by that point and she had no reason to make war on him. 

All this is well known to anybody who's paid attention. That Iraq was destroyed to salve the egos of a few Bedouins and a fratboy with a drinking problem was an outrage. It isn't a mystery.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 04:31 | 6224711 The Delicate Genius
The Delicate Genius's picture

Now Niall - it's a sin to lie.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 07:53 | 6224879 besnook
besnook's picture

not according to the talmud if the lie is directed at goys. like blankfein, niall is only doing god's work.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 18:15 | 6227355 RMolineaux
RMolineaux's picture

Looked at objectively, it is probably true that Iraq was not a serious military threat to Israel.  But that did not matter to the zionists and neo-cons who promoted the invasion.  Iraq served as the perfect whipping boy for neo-cons whose purpose was to promote zionist myths and ideology to prolong and expand the US/Israel hegemony over the resource rich Middle East.

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:17 | 6224229 SMC
SMC's picture

Wow.  Putin building bridges while we build... hmm... nothing.

The neo-con "Just Us" playground bully pushback will only alienate SA more.

 

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 22:57 | 6224317 HardlyZero
HardlyZero's picture

Simple control and picking sides.  Putin Judo.  Russia teaming with oligarchs (oilgarchy...heh) goes way back, and a strong bond would be difficult to counter.

"He who controls the spice controls the universe..."

The Spice must flow...

Mon, 06/22/2015 - 23:36 | 6224407 Niall Of The Ni...
Niall Of The Nine Hostages's picture

Tsipras licked Putin's boots that weekend too. That doesn't mean he needs or wants the House of Saud as an ally. 

Short-term the Saudis are competitors in the oil market and collaborators with Wall Street in economic sabotage against Russia. Long-term, once the oil runs out in 15 years Saudi will become another destitute failed Arab state. Russia has nothing to gain from Saudi as a client, and much to lose.

Again, if Russia wants allies in the region, Israel will be needing allies she can actually count on once the White House falls into the hands of Huma Abedin's mommy.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 07:51 | 6224877 besnook
besnook's picture

israel's days are numbered. the side benefit if not part of the intent of isolating the usa will be an israel on par with old lebanon, a beach on the med with a great party scene.

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 02:37 | 6236386 neuronius
neuronius's picture

A sucking sound will be heard round the world if the dollar collapses and US is forced to bring the boys home because there's no paychecks.  All of that military and financial support will be gone and Israel will be forced to fend for herself amongst all those enemies.

I also suspect, at that time, there will be a decision whether or not to go ahead and start WWIII as an alternative to bringing everyone home and down-sizing the military and the rest of the federal government.  

Either way, Israel would have a tough go of it.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 01:30 | 6224575 onmail
onmail's picture

Saudis should realize that the Caballah/Israelis want to dominate entire arabia. they are using America to start a new world war centered in middle east so that America & Israel should either capture all arabian oilfields or install weak puppet regimes (as in Africa) which would bellydance to their tune while they get all oil & money to boost up their own economy.

And at the same time the west has started the war in Ukraine as a distraction so that Russia remains busy and finds no time to think beyond its borders.

Thats the game.

Game on.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 02:07 | 6224589 dogismycopilot
dogismycopilot's picture

Saudi is in flux. The new leadership, the war in Yemen, and the appearance of ISIS in the Shia regions of Saudi. They have massive uncertainty now.

People need to realize that Western Iraq, where the Saudi/Qatar backed ISIS are - that area has very LARGE BLOCKS OF UNEXPLORED POTENTIAL OIL FIELDS. Korean Gas has a small project in Anbar that has been taken by ISIS. There is serious money at play there.

The Saudis will take care of the Saudis. They are keeping their friends close but their enemies closer. Russia (via Lukoil/Gazprom) is producing oil in Iraq and supporting Iraqi government with not just oil production, oil jobs but also military equipment. Russia's interest in Iraq is opposed to Saudi interest.

Putin does need to be careful in dealing with the Saudis. The Saudis will slit his throat in a second if it helps them consolidate power in the middle east. 

 

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 01:47 | 6224591 Phillyguy
Phillyguy's picture

Your concluding remarks sums things up- keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. It is also prudent to recall Lord Palmerston’s (English Statesman, 1784-1865) observation- “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests”. Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov (Russia) and Xi Jinping (China) are as smart/ competent as anyone on the world scene today.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 02:01 | 6224616 Flybyknight
Flybyknight's picture

Maybe Putin is just a statesman who sees that his country's best interests are served by conducting diplomacy with all nations rather than the western approach of villifying anyone who does not bow down to US/EU/Banking demands.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 03:26 | 6224670 assistedliving
assistedliving's picture

here now.  there certainly was a power struggle but it's over for time being

USA down :  ROW we're on our own

Bandar Bush down :  make nice w/ France/Russia, tit for tat vis a vis Iran, Saudi develops nuclear

beyond that admittedly totally out of my depth....as is anyone else who claims otherwise

Yemen, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan works in progress.  the fact Naimi was in Moscow

telling.  Worlds largest revenue stream:  SAUDI ARAMCO will tell the rest of story as it unfolds

TBC'D

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 04:24 | 6224703 zanzen
zanzen's picture

I think you folks are missing the point here.  Everything going on in the middle east is about the gas pipeline Saudi Arabia wants through Syria to Europe. that's why they financed ISIS after Obama bailed on them (remember the red line which was crossed with no consequences.) It is entirely possible they are trying to negotiate a deal with Putin to stop his support of Syria so they can overhtrow  the Syrian government and put in place a more pipeline friendly regime. Why would Putin play ball? the pipeline would threaten his monopoly on gas to Europe but..... What if the Saudis and Putin agree to control both gas and oil prices in a huge joint cartel for gas and oil. They could get rich and squeeze Europe away from the US. Putin wins both ways. I would love to listen in on those conversations and if NSA is listening people in Washington must be quacking in their boots.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 04:24 | 6224704 zanzen
zanzen's picture

I think you folks are missing the point here.  Everything going on in the middle east is about the gas pipeline Saudi Arabia wants through Syria to Europe. that's why they financed ISIS after Obama bailed on them (remember the red line which was crossed with no consequences.) It is entirely possible they are trying to negotiate a deal with Putin to stop his support of Syria so they can overhtrow  the Syrian government and put in place a more pipeline friendly regime. Why would Putin play ball? the pipeline would threaten his monopoly on gas to Europe but..... What if the Saudis and Putin agree to control both gas and oil prices in a huge joint cartel for gas and oil. They could get rich and squeeze Europe away from the US. Putin wins both ways. I would love to listen in on those conversations and if NSA is listening people in Washington must be quacking in their boots.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 04:29 | 6224708 shouldvekilledthem
shouldvekilledthem's picture

I would love to see a reality show where these (including the political elite of the american empire) scumbags have to kill each other.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 06:07 | 6224753 RaceToTheBottom
RaceToTheBottom's picture

Ohhhh, so the Saudis crashing the oil price was not an event that would result in detailed meetings with the Ruskies?

Just a process

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 06:49 | 6224797 Last of the Mid...
Last of the Middle Class's picture

saudi is pissed because we won't send USA cannon fodder to protect their oil interests from radicals they aligned with. Jeez sure hate it for them

 

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 07:22 | 6224833 besnook
besnook's picture

everyone, from europe to asia and south america are looking for a way to escape the usa. the usa is like the abusive spouse who uses threats, violence and money to keep eveyrbody in line with their neocon game. the brics, with their fledgling financial system(which isolates the neocon crowd politically and financially. thr brics are antisemitic) offers a safe house for the abused. like a battered wife, the trapped nations will take some coaxing before having the confidence to escape. the saudi intrigue may provide the confidence needed for other nations to follow.

the eurozone will go down with the ship. this is truly the century of brics, the end of 500 years of white western rule marked by continuous violence towards brown people. the chinese, especially, have no qualms about executing a final solution with a nod to western diversity. brits are probably first in line as a matter of principle.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 07:37 | 6224853 esum
esum's picture

its real simple

OBAMA has turned his back on allies and they now seek to counter the iranian nuke deal...

the house of saud already said it intends to buy a few nukes from pakiland

and they was the russians to stop facilitating iran's nukes and keep thm fully informed of the status of the nuke program

meantime saudi and iran engage one other through proxies and direct air and ground support in yemen, and iran is pondering taking iraq from isis.. 

OBAMA HAS CREATED A MIDDLE EAST TINDERBOX TO LEAD UP TO WW3

he is good at causing hate and unrest.... he is a useless pos

 

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 08:14 | 6224924 robertocarlos
robertocarlos's picture

They are discussing the Phoenix Coyotes situation and Putin is thinking if he buys the team from the current Saudi owners, not kidding, then maybe he can be both the coach and a player.

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 08:16 | 6224932 Mike Masr
Mike Masr's picture

Who is Saudi Arabia largest client? None other than China. This discussion is about China paying Saudi Arabia for oil in remnimbi not US dollars. Bye bye Petrodollar!

Tue, 06/23/2015 - 08:43 | 6225013 gcjohns1971
gcjohns1971's picture

"No one could have forseen it". 

BS.

The unpublished portion of the Petrodollar deal was that the US would reduce oil production.  Our masters subsequently walked back on that pledge in the effort to save the system post 2008. 

It was absolutely obvious where the Saudi's would go.

They will try to establish a price-fixing scheme amongst them so that their various State-run oil companies can become factually profitable with the entitlment tail they support accounted for as well as nominally, with the entitlements living on the State books, separate from the energy supporting them.

Between the two, they are the largest oil suppliers to China.  When you include Kazahkstan, they are the mega-energy trifecta.

The problem is that they are competitors with each other for China and Europe's business.   In Ukraine, Syria, and Libya Europe has been playing them off against one another to diversify EU energy suppliers.

What happens when - and it will happen, it is only a question of when - China also begins to play them off against one another for business????

Wed, 06/24/2015 - 03:51 | 6228661 pgarozzo
pgarozzo's picture

Old News. I heard about the Saudi's aligning with Russia nearly a year ago by Dr Jim Willie. Suggest the writer tune into Jim for the earliest news before anyone else.

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