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German Intelligence Warns: Saudi Arabia Has "Destabilizing Role" In The Middle East

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 11.12.33 AM

Saudi Arabia is at risk of becoming a major destabilizing influence in the Arab world, German intelligence has warned.

 

Internal power struggles and the desire to emerge as the leading Arab power threaten to make the key Western ally a source of instability, according to the BND intelligence service.

 

“The current cautious diplomatic stance of senior members of the Saudi royal family will be replaced by an impulsive intervention policy,” a BND memo widely distributed to the German press reads.

 

Saudi Arabia has previously been accused of supplying arms and funding to jihadist groups fighting in Syria, including Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

 

– From the Telegraph article: Saudi Arabia ‘Destabilizing Arab World’, German Intelligence Warns

To understand the enormously dangerous wildcard that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents in modern geopolitics, you must understand what is going on behind the scenes.

While the Saudis were a shady monarchy well before King Abdullah passed away, the disaster that has succeeded him will make the prior rulers look like philosopher kings by comparison. Of course, this is always the risk when it comes to hereditary rule, you never know what kind of psychopath is lurking next in line. In the case of the Saudis, although the current King is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the guy who really wields power, and who appears to be a ticking time bomb, is his son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as “Reckless.”

As I noted in September’s post, Regime Change is Coming – Saudi Prince Calls for Coup to Remove King:

To better understand the situation, it’s key to have a sense of the dynamics currently in play. In January, there was a major transition in Saudi leadership, which resulted in Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as “Reckless,” taking on dramatically increased responsibilities. In fact, many are claiming that “Reckless” is actually running the country due to the King’s (his father) poor health.

 

If you’re caught up on your Game of Thrones, you know that this can end in only one of two ways. Either outcome will result in some sort of regime change.

 

Either the rebel prince succeeds in convincing enough people who matter to remove the King, or the King counters and drives the prince out. The former situation is far and away the best option for stability in the Middle East, and would likely allow the Saudi royal lineage to hold on to power for longer. If the second scenario unfolds, current leadership will crack down even harder on dissent and run the state further into the ground. This behavior will ultimately lead to an unpredictable and likely violent revolution, and if you think the Middle East is volatile now, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Prince “Reckless” is the real wildcard here, and it appears German intelligence sees the writing on the wall. First, from the Wall Street Journal:

BERLIN—Germany’s foreign intelligence service warned about Saudi Arabia adopting a destabilizing role, in an unusual blunt criticism of the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in the Arab world.

 

“The previous cautious diplomatic stance of older leading members of the royal family is being replaced by an impulsive policy of intervention,” the German Intelligence Service, known by its German acronym BND, said in a memo distributed to journalists.

 

King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his son Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also defense minister and second in line to the throne, are trying to make their names as “leaders of the Arab world,” the report said.

 

The criticism comes as Saudi Arabia—a close ally for the West in fighting terrorism and Islamic State militants—has adopted a more aggressive foreign policy since King Salman ascended to the throne in January. The policy shift was highlighted in Riyadh’s military operations against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

 

In its memo, the BND said Prince Mohammed risked “overly straining relations with befriended and, most of all, allied states” and other royal family members in his attempt to establish himself in the succession to the throne.

The Telegraph adds some additional color:

Saudi Arabia is at risk of becoming a major destabilising influence in the Arab world, German intelligence has warned.

 

Internal power struggles and the desire to emerge as the leading Arab power threaten to make the key Western ally a source of instability, according to the BND intelligence service. 

“The current cautious diplomatic stance of senior members of the Saudi royal family will be replaced by an impulsive intervention policy,” a BND memo widely distributed to the German press reads.

 

The memo focuses particularly on the role of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 30-year-old son of King Salman who was recently appointed deputy crown prince and defense minister.

 

The concentration of so much power in Prince Mohammed’s hands “harbours a latent risk that in seeking to establish himself in the line of succession in his father’s lifetime, he may overreach,” the memo notes.

 

Analysts at the Royal Bank of Canada recenlty desrcribed the jockeying for position inside the extensive royal family as “Saudi Arabia’s Game of Thrones”.

 

Saudi Arabia has previously been accused of supplying arms and funding to jihadist groups fighting in Syria, including Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

Fasten your seatbelt.

 

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Fri, 12/04/2015 - 14:55 | 6876684 Looney
Looney's picture

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will not be parked off Syria after all.

Instead of dropping anchors next to the Russian Missile Cruiser Moskva, it is going to the Persian Gulf.

Recently, NATO’s Breedlove was bitching about the Russian 400-mile impenetrable air-defense/radio-electronic bubble in Syria.

The Russians, it seems, are not willing to shut the bubble down, so the French (NATO) aircraft carrier would operate in their playground. So… In order to drop a single bomb in Syria, the French will have to fly all the way across Iraq now - a 1,200-miles round-trip.

Last week, Hollande should’ve gone directly to Russia, instead of going to Washington first.  ;-)

Looney

http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Gulf_Middle_East_lg.jpg

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 14:56 | 6876688 FireBrander
FireBrander's picture

No Shit!

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 14:57 | 6876691 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture
German Intelligence under Merkel,  Contradiction in terms?
Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:02 | 6876720 pods
pods's picture

This is not really news to most commenters on ZH.  BTW, Israel should be holding that sword too. Or maybe whispering in the USA's ear?

pods

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:17 | 6876791 Boxed Merlot
Boxed Merlot's picture

maybe whispering in the USA's ear?...

 

No need to whisper.  That camo dressed dude has a dual citizenship US / Rael passport to confirm his right to hold (s)elected office and commit atrocities in the name of US taxpayers.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:20 | 6876806 eforce
eforce's picture

If they decide to get in a tangle with Russians jets they'll have Iranian Tomcats nipping on their backside on the flight back as well.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:32 | 6876883 MadVladtheconquerer
MadVladtheconquerer's picture

F-14s that haven't had avionics, spare parts or power plant upgrades since 1979?

Biegin w/ para 5:  http://www.iiaf.net/aircraft/jetfighters/F14/f14.html

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:17 | 6877144 eforce
eforce's picture

Apparently Iran has ways and means of keeping at least some of them operational and has mentioned upgrades, what that means, no one knows other than them.

However assuming an original state they can still be a hassle for modern jets due to the sheer range and power of the AWG-9/AIM-54 combo, an unsuspecting Rafael would get a launch warning less than 8 seconds before impact.

Sat, 12/05/2015 - 10:45 | 6879741 tonyw
tonyw's picture

The Brits are flying across syria from Cyprus to bomb in the east.

Does not seem to be a problem whilst they are bombing Daesh, situation would change idf they tried bombing Assad.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:02 | 6876722 Buckaroo Banzai
Buckaroo Banzai's picture

"German Intelligence" also reporting that grass is green, and the sky is blue.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 17:42 | 6877612 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

And what "German Intelligence" isn't reporting is that this palace intrigue doesn't conform to the traditional schisms.  The current nut job is a Sudairi (who because of various Clan members' many years as Grand Poobah, have the biggest stash of "diverted" wealth and know where the most bodies are buried), and the Sudairi are envied by the greedy psychopaths in other Clans whose women Ibn Saud shtupped.  Anyway, the current plot is to basically for royal members representing most of the clans/tribes in KSA to unite to depose the current nutjob and replace him another Sudairi.  So, my impression is that 1) the current nut job is real that bad, even by Saudi standards, and 2) because a coup wouldn't necessarily involve restructuring the social order within the nobility and the infighting and backstabbing associated with that, it is that much more likely to succeed.   

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:08 | 6876748 FireBrander
FireBrander's picture

Error: "Saudi Arabia is at risk of becoming a major destabilising influence in the Arab world"

Correction: Saudi Arabia HAS BEEN a major destabilising influence in the Arab world since, well, since oil was discovered there!

~

Error: " Internal power struggles...threaten to make the key Western ally a source of instability."

Correction: Saudi Arabia, with FULL USA BACKING, IS THE PREMIER source of instability in the Region.

~

Error: "Saudi Arabia has previously been accused of supplying arms and funding to jihadist groups."

Correction: Saudi Arabia supplies arms, funding and TRAINING to jihadist groups not only in the Middle East, but also in places like San Bernardino California...and New York City..911

 

In the hunt for source terror, the trail always ends in Saudia Arabia...

 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:03 | 6876729 Noplebian
Noplebian's picture

A tragic and late entry into the party by the Germans.....the agenda rolls on.....

http://beforeitsnews.com/conspiracy-theories/2015/12/road-to-ww3-time-to...

 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 14:59 | 6876702 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture

I suggest we friendly invite all the saudi royal family... then we ``red wedding`` their asses and then hang their corpses on the WH front lawn.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:08 | 6876757 chunga
chunga's picture

The den of cronies in DC love these maniacs and their filthy money. They had a whole entourage in town a few months ago and got the red carpet treatment.

"It's All Gold"- Saudi King Arrives In DC, Books All Rooms At The Four Seasons

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-04/red-carpet-rolled-out-saudi-kin...

“Everything is gold,” says one Four Seasons regular, who spied the deliveries arriving at the hotel. “Gold mirrors, gold end tables, gold lamps, even gold hat racks.” Red carpets have been laid down in hallways and even in the lower parking garage, so the king and his family never have to touch asphalt when departing their custom Mercedes caravan.

/blech

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 14:59 | 6876703 joego1
joego1's picture

Send them all to Allah.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:16 | 6876783 Colonel Klink
Colonel Klink's picture

< Send them all to Allah

< Send them all to Yahweh

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:04 | 6877065 Chuckster
Chuckster's picture

I did like the guy when he was on tv

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 14:59 | 6876704 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture

In other news, Ukraine about to declare war on Russia.... fucking nutjobs

http://uatoday.tv/politics/naval-blockade-of-crimea-imminent-islyamov-54...

Naval blockade of Crimea imminent - Islyamov

Activists say new blockade of Crimea will be a 'military operation'  

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:07 | 6876747 pods
pods's picture

Soon to be announced:
"Russia has completed a new artificial reef for sport fisherman off of Crimea. To compete this so fast, the Russians used what was available, namely the navy of the Ukraine."

pods 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:38 | 6877256 HowdyDoody
HowdyDoody's picture

They are also supplying weapons to ISIS via Qatar, and are home to some fleeing ISIS terrorists.

 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 18:46 | 6877915 hroft
hroft's picture

and our prime minister( im ukrainian) told the press today, that russia might be behind blowing pylons, yesterday putin opened first elevtricity line to Crimea, my country became anarchy of insane people

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:00 | 6876707 Sergeiab
Sergeiab's picture

They can warn all they want, Barry don't care, won't kick Turkey out of NATO, will keep his shady business going on

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:18 | 6876712 franciscopendergrass
franciscopendergrass's picture

Well, no fucking shit.  Whoever did know about this for the past years is a fucking idiot.  Thats 99% of Americans 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:03 | 6876728 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

clueless clueless utterly clueless

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:05 | 6876734 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

BND needs to take out the Uber-Traitor and Ziocon Sayanim:  MERKEL.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:07 | 6876746 Sanity Bear
Sanity Bear's picture

oh poor baby... did they upset the beheading cart for your Saudi masters?

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:11 | 6876767 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

Your response is that of a cognitive Moron.  Go back to school and get informed, grasshopper.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:44 | 6876958 Sanity Bear
Sanity Bear's picture

Yeah right, that's why every time the Saudis get caught red handed in something nasty, your kind can be reliably expected to spam the comments with Zionist this Zionist that.

 

Saudi royal family fucked up? Zionists!

Saudis murder a bunch of people in California? Zionists!

Turk dictator's son caught red-handed smuggling oil? Zionists!

Bad jobs numbers? Zionists!!!1!!

Got fired from your job because you spent the whole day posting on the Internet complaining about Zionists? Zionists!!

 

Give me a fucking break already. It takes exactly zero IQ points to do what you do. I miss the days when ZH comments were informative and amusing, before OCD spammers like you drove out the good commenters with your drivel.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 17:57 | 6877671 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

The third example isn't hyperbole and should read Turk dictator's son caught red-handed smuggling oil to Zionists. 

FIFY, but not before you undercut your own argument and came across as a Hasbararat.

There are plenty of idiots around here who actually surprise me with their simultaneous ability to utilize the internet is to extend their voice beyond the confines of trailer park and their inability to blame anyone other than the Almighty Zionists (who by their own "logic" they should be worshiping) for the word's ills... too bad you couldn't find one of them.   

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 18:17 | 6877768 Sanity Bear
Sanity Bear's picture

Check the sources on that particular claim. They all lead to a black hole of "was reported by [people you never heard of in a report that isn't available anywhere]". I have no problem believing Israel has a hand in this mess but to say they're the masterminds - and not the parties (Saudis/Turks/Qatars/CIA) that are openly supporting/funding/training them - is absurd. The connection is tenuous at best, Israel getting much of its oil supplies from a port that is also used by IS as a black market broker. If you actually look through the background you see that Israel was buying Kurdish oil through that port, and the Kurds are the closest thing to good guys in this whole mess.

 

So contrary to the thrust of your argument, that's a fine example of any connection at all to anything Jewish or Israeli being stretched into an overarching Zionist plot that controls everything everywhere.

 

Pay no attention to the Saudis behind the curtain, right? Oh wait, there is no curtain, it's all out in the open. But oh the Saudis are "crypto-Zionist" so therefore it counts (yes I've heard this one here, more than once).

 

This is just stupidity, and it doesn't help anybody get to the truth of the matter, which is that there are many players involved each with their own interests and Israel is at most 9th on the list of nations/groups involved in the conflict (Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Russia, USA, and of course Syria itself all being bigger players).

 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 18:47 | 6877922 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

My example points to clear Israeli complicity.  Israel and everyone else buying crude of dubious origin out Ceyhan knows damn well that they are bankrolling ISIS (and the KRG, which isn't even a recognized as a sovereign State, and is thus stealing oil from the recognized government of Iraq).  The loons who think the House of Saud are crypto zionists live in metaphorical trailer parks and have never even a met a member of the House of Saud much less discussed Israel with them. The same ignorance can't be ascribed to people trading actual shiploads of crude and managing foreign policy for nation states. 

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:16 | 6876759 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

p.s. Merkel disgusted by German flag   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rcc7xgD2dM 

Did Merkel just sign Germany's "Suicide Note"?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_8kc19DL70

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:05 | 6876737 MadVladtheconquerer
MadVladtheconquerer's picture

Sounds like Modern Problems and Chevy Chase knows how to deal w/ those:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5eGsAvXzP0

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:11 | 6876766 DaveyJones
DaveyJones's picture

excellent cartoon

Much like every other instability, Saudi's traces right back to the west's anything, anyone, and any border redraw for oil. The export our inflation and the petrodollar resource steal is over too. No one is in control anymore and the chaos and violence is bubbling over. There is no honor amongst thieves and the west has it coming to them. Unfortunately, like every other chapter, mostly innocents will die and if they don't their currecnies will become pretty meaningless making food a problem well beyond northern africa. I just hope that at least a couple of murderous regimes, west included, go down in the mess.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:11 | 6876768 pazmaker
pazmaker's picture

In other news.......New Years is January 1st!

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:32 | 6876882 Analog
Analog's picture

In other news.......New Years is January 1st!

pazmaker, you made my day.

:-*

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:33 | 6876887 Joe A
Joe A's picture

Water is wet.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:11 | 6876769 Good bi bull
Good bi bull's picture

It sounds like every fucker and his dog is supplying ISIS.

Why is it you dont get a sniff of old Assad anymore on TV. Fuckin Jokers.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:16 | 6876785 TrumpXVI
TrumpXVI's picture

So, the Germans are sayin' that like, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the Kim Jong-un of the Middle East?......MmKay.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:17 | 6876790 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

This is my surprized face.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:21 | 6876811 Analog
Analog's picture
German Intelligence Warns: Saudi Arabia Has "Destabilizing Role" In The Middle East

Gawd, I couldn't make this sh!t up if I tried.

Happy Fryday Everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8b4xYbEugo

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:23 | 6876826 madashellron
madashellron's picture

I'm hoping the U.N doesn't get this report. Otherwises they might reward them with another seat on the Human Rights Commission.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:27 | 6876844 InnVestuhrr
InnVestuhrr's picture

I can save ALL the intelligence agencies billions in money and millions in hours with the following cretin simple algorithm for them to use in identifying and dealing with threats:

IF islamic

THEN deadly danger

PERFORM Kill + Destroy Function

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:26 | 6877190 Demdere
Demdere's picture

Are you paid to be this simple?  If not, you should apply to one of the very many organizations that pay people to be that simple.  Most have to be trained, you will be able to provide copies of your online comments, are sure to be hired.

If you were not trained and are not paid, what is your motivation?

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 17:12 | 6877464 InnVestuhrr
InnVestuhrr's picture

don't whine about this policy islamic rodent, it will unite you with your uthuh snackbar

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 18:34 | 6877858 Demdere
Demdere's picture

Not just simple! You display suprising talents.  Is this your form of  advertising?  Or has hasbara already purchased your services?

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:27 | 6876850 MadVladtheconquerer
MadVladtheconquerer's picture

This "insight" raises an interesting question:  If the sunnis, shias and Kurds and whatever other tribes, clans or groups want to kill each other,

then why would one not stand back and let them indulge themselves?

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:31 | 6876876 sgorem
sgorem's picture

didn't really know germany had any intelligence. thanx ZH.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:36 | 6876902 Analog
Analog's picture

didn't really know germany had any intelligence.

pazmaker, I take it back (women are like that ;-P )

Thanks sgorem, I love you more.

xoxoxoxo

Ana

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 21:26 | 6878558 sgorem
sgorem's picture

are we kinda "sexting" in public? ;)

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:44 | 6876957 MopWater
MopWater's picture

The Spice must flow!

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:00 | 6877044 Chuckster
Chuckster's picture

Mad Vlad  This is far to brilliant to ever gain traction.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:42 | 6876943 JimmyRainbow
JimmyRainbow's picture

secret service got a warning from german politicians to not interfere with politics

about that newspiece

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:49 | 6876978 Badsamm
Badsamm's picture

How many troops will Germany be sending to Saudi Arabia?

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:59 | 6877037 Chuckster
Chuckster's picture

1200 and the Germans really know how to kill.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 15:58 | 6877035 Chuckster
Chuckster's picture

"Saudi Arabia is at risk of becoming a major destabilizing influence in the Arab world"

 

Who makes asinine statements like this.  Is their anyone on the planet that don't know Saudi Arabia has always been the source?

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:11 | 6877103 Nolde Huruska
Nolde Huruska's picture

German intelligence is still trying to figure out how the allies wound up in Normandy instead of Pas de Calais.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:33 | 6877235 optimator
optimator's picture

Don' fall for it, Normandy is only a feint!!!

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:20 | 6877160 TheMuppet
TheMuppet's picture

+1 on King Reckless.  The whole Saudi cosa nostra needs a douche.  Not "reform".

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:22 | 6877165 Dark Daze
Dark Daze's picture

Well, good to know there is another psychopath in waiting. Seems like they never run out of them in SA.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 16:30 | 6877212 Dark Daze
Dark Daze's picture

Here is the really, really rediculous part in all this. SA supplies less than 10 million barrels of oil a day, and to even get that they are pumping hundreds of millions of litres of sewater in the wells. The world consumes 90 to 100 million barrels a day, so the Saudi contribution to that is 10% or less. Iran, Iraq, the US and Canada are all capable of more than making up for any production that might be lost from SA, then of course there is always Venezuela, which has the single largest reserves of heavy oil in the world, most of it untouched.

There is absolutely no reason to pander to these fucks any longer. Freeze their bank accounts. Seize their property. Throw the Princes into jail for passport violations. Cancel their credit cards. Then tell the fucking Wahhabist preachers that their time is up and they better move on to the next world. If our politicians won't do it then you KNOW they are part of the problem.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 17:45 | 6877626 Tarshatha
Tarshatha's picture
"Destabilizing Role" In The Middle East,

and not one mention of Israel.

The whole article lacks credibility when you avoid the elephant in the room.

Sat, 12/05/2015 - 03:52 | 6879343 Fed_is_Love
Fed_is_Love's picture

Israel is better at hiding its tracks. It uses middle men.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 17:59 | 6877668 logical-different
logical-different's picture

DOES THAT MEAN SAUDI ARABIA IS A ROGUE STATE LIKE THE USA AND SOME OF THE OTHERS?.

         OFF WITH THEIR HEADS I SAY!!

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 21:11 | 6878497 FedFunnyMoney
FedFunnyMoney's picture

Nuke Riyadh. There...problem solved.

Fri, 12/04/2015 - 21:47 | 6878636 goldhedge
goldhedge's picture

Nuke Mecca.

 

Sat, 12/05/2015 - 03:52 | 6879342 Fed_is_Love
Fed_is_Love's picture

Those undisclosed documents of 9/11 has Saudi Arabia involvement. Neithr Bush or Obama will reveal them. Both are shills.

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