Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC

August 17, 2015

The Saudi Future, The West And The War On Terrorism

CDHR’s Analysis and Commentaries

Saudi Arabia: The Elephant In The Room

CDHR’s Commentary: Despite its status as the epicenter of extremism, religious intolerance, corruption, an exporter of lethal dogma, violator of its citizens’ basic human rights and supporter of extremists and terrorists worldwide, the Saudi regime is not only spared Western governments’ admonitions, but enjoys their categorical support and exaltations as an ally in  “The War on Terrorism” and a bedrock of regional stability.

No group would more vehemently disagree with the West’s public assessment of the Saudi regime’s good deeds than the Saudi people. If most Saudis (including some royals, old and young) are allowed to express their opinions without incurring forbidding punishments or losing their lucrative financial allotments, they would be the first to characterize the Western regimes, businesses, “experts” and mainstream media outlets’ reporters and commentators as hypocrites, to say the least.

Despite the exchange of frequent visits, appearances in a multitude of press conferences, business fora and elaborate state social events, Westerners (with the exception of former President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , 70  members of US Congress and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem) have been cowed into avoiding any public mention of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, even when asked their opinion of or reactions to the Saudi government’s draconian domestic policies. Not only do Western offi cials genuflect to Saudi wishes, but businesspeople, reporters and educators disregard Saudi abuses of human rights, such as arbitrary arrests, incarcerations without charges and harsh punishment imposed on human rights and social justice advocates. Full text: www.cdhr.info

Can Crown Prince Mohammed Be An Ally In The War On Terrorism?

CDHR’s Commentary: For decades, conventional Western experts have been intensely engaged in predicting what Saudi foreign policy would look like under the next king. This was the time when the Saudi royal succession was cemented long before a king died, was dethroned, as in the case of King Saud in 1964, or was assassinated like King Faisal in 1975. But things are changing, complicating the predictors’ tasks.

As the second generation of Saudi princes dies off, the prognosticators are faced with the chore of speculating about who from the third generation will be the next king and why. The conjecturers’ theories normally get torpedoed by the Saudi rulers’ ultra-secretive system where such major decisions are made by three senior princes, namely the King, the Defense and Interior Ministers. After stormy, accusatory and screaming deliberations (according well-informed insiders), decisions are subsequently shared with the second stratum of princes and the top clerics, for uncontested approval and legitimization.  Full text: www.cdhr.info

The Saudi Foreign Minister Should Record And Listen To Himself Mutilating Reality

CDHR’s Commentary: Standing next to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, an admirer of and apologist for the Saudi oligarchs, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubair (a non- royal, but more “royal” than the royals) reiterated King Salman’s incredible assertions that human rights, including women’s, are guaranteed by the Saudi religious laws. Like his King, Al-Jubair admits that human rights in Saudi Arabia are based on “religious” doctrines, not in compliance with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which the Saudi regime is a signatory. Full text: www.cdhr.info

Saudi clerics brand their extremist pupils “Deviants for aiding Islam foes”

CDHR’s Commentary: If the Saudi clerics  want to defeat “deviants” (Muslim extremists and terrorists) and end, or at least minimize, the ongoing ravaging sectarian death and destruction committed by “deviants” (at home and abroad), then there is no better place to start than at home. The Saudi clerics are the conceivers, incubators, nurturers, indoctrinators and exporters of the “deviants” they accuse of “aiding Islam foes.” 

With the blessing and unequivocal support of the Saudi royals, especially King Salman, the Saudi religious establishment controls Saudi schools, mosques, social mores and behavior and is entrusted with the interpretation and application of Muslim holy books, especially the arbitrary Shariah law. Full text: www.cdhr.info

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