The New York Times has a piece today looking at the influence of former Saudi Ambassador to the US, Pr. Bandar bin Sultan. It’s useful to read this article along side that of Martin Indyk, appearing in today’s ‘Outlook’ section of The Washington Post.
Both pieces note, correctly, that Bandar represents and has represented Saudi Arabia and its own interests. He has served as a middle man in trying to find ways to conceptually coordinate US and Saudi ideas on what policies to make and how to implement them. Where there have been strong differences between the two countries, that hasn’t always worked out well. This piece notes, also correctly, that Bandar has a way of leaving ‘room for interpretation’, letting the listener hear what he wants to hear, while never actually contradicting stated policies.
The article notes, too, that Saudi advice to the US prior to the war in Iraq, was ignored. Things like cautions about ‘de-Baathification’ and firing the Iraqi army, have shown themselves to be correct, alas in hindsight.
This article is definitely worth reading.
A Saudi Prince Tied to Bush Is Sounding Off-Key
HELENE COOPER and JIM RUTENBERGWASHINGTON, April 28 — No foreign diplomat has been closer or had more access to President Bush, his family and his administration than the magnetic and fabulously wealthy Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia.
Prince Bandar has mentored Mr. Bush and his father through three wars and the broader campaign against terrorism, reliably delivering — sometimes in the Oval Office — his nation’s support for crucial Middle East initiatives dependent on the regional legitimacy the Saudis could bring, as well as timely warnings of Saudi regional priorities that might put it into apparent conflict with the United States. Even after his 22-year term as Saudi ambassador ended in 2005, he still seemed the insider’s insider. But now, current and former Bush administration officials are wondering if the longtime reliance on him has begun to outlive its usefulness.
Bush administration officials have been scratching their heads over steps taken by Prince Bandar’s uncle, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, that have surprised them by going against the American playbook, after receiving assurances to the contrary from Prince Bandar during secret trips he made to Washington.
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April:29:2007 - 15:58
I’m not at all surprised by this article as Prince Bandar’s influence on Saudi policies has been waning for several years now.
I find it naive that so many Americans expect the Kingdom to follow the US on absolutely everything, and then when the Saudis show some much needed independence of thought and action some in the US act horrified and imply that the Saudis have betrayed their US friends.
I don’t see how Secretary of State Condolezza Rice expected Saudi Arabia to agree to isolate Hamas, when that Palestinian faction has so much popular support throughout the Muslim world.
Also, I’m glad that the article pointed out that Saudi Arabia is still not ready for talks with Israel, thus the absence of the Kingdom from the Arab group that is supposed to hold talks with Israel. Only Jordan and Egypt are in the group, and they of course have had full relations with Israel for quite a while now.
I don’t think the current climate in the Middle East would allow any Saudi leader to publicly hold direct talks with Israel, let alone formally establish relations with the Jewish state, and still remain in office. The ill will felt towards Israel by most Arabs is still strong especially after last year’s disastrous invasion of Lebanon by Israel.
April:29:2007 - 16:48
I’d add that the ‘ill will’ you mention is also the result of some 50 years of unrelenting, and often unfair, criticism of Israel, must of it extreme. Arab governments have been successful in thoroughly demonizing Israel for a lot of things for which it is not responsible. Arab governments have promoted, or at least allowed to be published, tripe like ‘The Protocol’ and blood libels.
It would be an extraordinary step for the Saudi gov’t to accept any official meeting with the Israeli gov’t, but I think it should start preparing the ground of public opinion for it now. If it tries to do so at the last minute, it’s going to be even harder than it is now.