Saudi Arabia is the focus of much attention these days, with hopes high that it, too, will normalize relations with Israel. In the meantime, there are many unresolved issues.
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, has stated that there will be no deal with Israel “without peace with the Palestinians,” which would include Israel’s return to the pre-1967 borders (“the Auschwitz borders”).
Now comes more disquieting news:
rince Mohammed’s unpredictable behaviour is becoming a cause for concern. Mohammed bin Nayef, the former crown prince, finds himself under house arrest on what appear to be trumped up charges.
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef has made impressive contributions to counter-terrorism and partnered with Western interests:
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was instrumental in countering al-Qaeda after the terror attacks of 9/11. His transformation of the kingdom’s intelligence service provided the US and its allies with important capabilities. The former crown prince took on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the terror group’s most vicious and murderous regional franchises. He bears the scars of almost being blown up in an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber.
Mohammed bin Nayef’s associate also lives under Saudi pressure, despite living in exile in Canada:
Saad Aljabri, an associate of the former crown prince and close ally of western intelligence services who is living in exile in Canada, says he is being pursued and his children are being used as collateral to force him to return to the kingdom. Saudi Twitter trolls defame both men. Rumours circulate in the media of charges against Prince Mohammed bin Nayef being brought later in the year.
The situation is “making many in London and Washington nervous.” And now “Republican senators are pressuring US president Donald Trump to act.”
Concerns about Saudi Arabia don’t stop with the campaign against Mohammed bin Nayef and Aljabri. The ongoing Saudi crackdown on human rights activists is another issue. Five months ago, leading human rights pioneer Abdullah al-Hamid died from a stroke in jail. And less than two weeks ago, Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi Arabia denied “some prominent detainees contact with their family members and lawyers for months,” leading to “serious concerns” about their well-being and safety. Many are women.
This led Human Rights Watch to issue a statement declaring that “Saudi authorities should promptly allow independent international monitors to enter the country, regularly monitor prison and detention facilities, carry out impartial investigations into allegations of torture and suspicious deaths in detention, and conduct private and regular visits with prisoners. “
Also, the well-known blogger Raif Badawi has been in a Saudi jail for eight years, and is sharing a cell with about 15 prisoners, according to his wife Ensaf Haidar. She says he was recently “the subject of assassination attempt” and is on “an open hunger strike because he doesn’t feel protected in jail.” Ensaf Haidar “also explained she sometimes goes months without hearing from her husband because he rarely receives permission to call her.”
All this could foreclose on the possibility of full normalization of relations with Israel.
“Saudi Arabia’s crown prince endangers ties with western allies,” by Malcolm Rifkind, Financial Times, September 16, 2020:
There is a new wave of reform in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates’ momentous decision to forge ties with Israel brings with it many questions about the future for Palestinians, but it confirms a willingness in Abu Dhabi to modernise and inject fresh thinking into the region’s politics.
In its larger neighbour Saudi Arabia, we see a country transforming. Riyadh was once a quiet, private place. No more: before the pandemic lockdown it teemed with activity. Women have been granted new freedoms and are gradually playing a larger role in society. Many Saudi youth are now excited about their country’s future. For those of us who have spent time in Saudi Arabia in recent decades, these are scenes we never witnessed in the past, the results of a reform process.
Despite this progress the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues to shock the world. Even friends of the kingdom were astonished by the brutality of this senseless crime. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spoken of his responsibility, as de facto leader of the country. The west has watched closely to see if this was a terrible aberration or indicates a pattern of behaviour.
Now, once again, Prince Mohammed’s unpredictable behaviour is becoming a cause for concern. Mohammed bin Nayef, the former crown prince, finds himself under house arrest on what appear to be trumped up charges.
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was instrumental in countering al-Qaeda after the terror attacks of 9/11. His transformation of the kingdom’s intelligence service provided the US and its allies with important capabilities. The former crown prince took on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the terror group’s most vicious and murderous regional franchises. He bears the scars of almost being blown up in an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber.
Saad Aljabri, an associate of the former crown prince and close ally of western intelligence services who is living in exile in Canada, says he is being pursued and his children are being used as collateral to force him to return to the kingdom. Saudi Twitter trolls defame both men. Rumours circulate in the media of charges against Prince Mohammed bin Nayef being brought later in the year.
We can only speculate about what palace intrigue is driving this vengeful behaviour. But I am more certain about the reaction it is causing. The campaign against Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and his associate Mr Aljabri is making many in London and Washington nervous. Republican senators are pressuring US president Donald Trump to act….
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, has stated that there will be no deal with Israel “without peace with the Palestinians,” which would include Israel’s return to the pre-1967 borders (“the Auschwitz borders”).
Now comes more disquieting news:
rince Mohammed’s unpredictable behaviour is becoming a cause for concern. Mohammed bin Nayef, the former crown prince, finds himself under house arrest on what appear to be trumped up charges.
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef has made impressive contributions to counter-terrorism and partnered with Western interests:
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was instrumental in countering al-Qaeda after the terror attacks of 9/11. His transformation of the kingdom’s intelligence service provided the US and its allies with important capabilities. The former crown prince took on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the terror group’s most vicious and murderous regional franchises. He bears the scars of almost being blown up in an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber.
Mohammed bin Nayef’s associate also lives under Saudi pressure, despite living in exile in Canada:
Saad Aljabri, an associate of the former crown prince and close ally of western intelligence services who is living in exile in Canada, says he is being pursued and his children are being used as collateral to force him to return to the kingdom. Saudi Twitter trolls defame both men. Rumours circulate in the media of charges against Prince Mohammed bin Nayef being brought later in the year.
The situation is “making many in London and Washington nervous.” And now “Republican senators are pressuring US president Donald Trump to act.”
Concerns about Saudi Arabia don’t stop with the campaign against Mohammed bin Nayef and Aljabri. The ongoing Saudi crackdown on human rights activists is another issue. Five months ago, leading human rights pioneer Abdullah al-Hamid died from a stroke in jail. And less than two weeks ago, Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi Arabia denied “some prominent detainees contact with their family members and lawyers for months,” leading to “serious concerns” about their well-being and safety. Many are women.
This led Human Rights Watch to issue a statement declaring that “Saudi authorities should promptly allow independent international monitors to enter the country, regularly monitor prison and detention facilities, carry out impartial investigations into allegations of torture and suspicious deaths in detention, and conduct private and regular visits with prisoners. “
Also, the well-known blogger Raif Badawi has been in a Saudi jail for eight years, and is sharing a cell with about 15 prisoners, according to his wife Ensaf Haidar. She says he was recently “the subject of assassination attempt” and is on “an open hunger strike because he doesn’t feel protected in jail.” Ensaf Haidar “also explained she sometimes goes months without hearing from her husband because he rarely receives permission to call her.”
All this could foreclose on the possibility of full normalization of relations with Israel.
“Saudi Arabia’s crown prince endangers ties with western allies,” by Malcolm Rifkind, Financial Times, September 16, 2020:
There is a new wave of reform in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates’ momentous decision to forge ties with Israel brings with it many questions about the future for Palestinians, but it confirms a willingness in Abu Dhabi to modernise and inject fresh thinking into the region’s politics.
In its larger neighbour Saudi Arabia, we see a country transforming. Riyadh was once a quiet, private place. No more: before the pandemic lockdown it teemed with activity. Women have been granted new freedoms and are gradually playing a larger role in society. Many Saudi youth are now excited about their country’s future. For those of us who have spent time in Saudi Arabia in recent decades, these are scenes we never witnessed in the past, the results of a reform process.
Despite this progress the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues to shock the world. Even friends of the kingdom were astonished by the brutality of this senseless crime. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spoken of his responsibility, as de facto leader of the country. The west has watched closely to see if this was a terrible aberration or indicates a pattern of behaviour.
Now, once again, Prince Mohammed’s unpredictable behaviour is becoming a cause for concern. Mohammed bin Nayef, the former crown prince, finds himself under house arrest on what appear to be trumped up charges.
Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was instrumental in countering al-Qaeda after the terror attacks of 9/11. His transformation of the kingdom’s intelligence service provided the US and its allies with important capabilities. The former crown prince took on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, one of the terror group’s most vicious and murderous regional franchises. He bears the scars of almost being blown up in an assassination attempt by a suicide bomber.
Saad Aljabri, an associate of the former crown prince and close ally of western intelligence services who is living in exile in Canada, says he is being pursued and his children are being used as collateral to force him to return to the kingdom. Saudi Twitter trolls defame both men. Rumours circulate in the media of charges against Prince Mohammed bin Nayef being brought later in the year.
We can only speculate about what palace intrigue is driving this vengeful behaviour. But I am more certain about the reaction it is causing. The campaign against Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and his associate Mr Aljabri is making many in London and Washington nervous. Republican senators are pressuring US president Donald Trump to act….
