Saudi Arabia, Britain keen on boosting military cooperation

For years many people (mostly liberals) have condemned the US for doing business with dictators and tyrants. That was one of the murky points of attempting to depose Saddam Hussein. We supported his quasi-fascist rule so long as he was willing to fight the Iranians for us. Throughout Latin America and Africa we have supported one dictatorial regime after another and thus have earned the ire of many whom truly seek to see every country free of tyranny around the world.

However, today we stand at a crossroad, especially in the Middle East. As I've written before, our choices are the devil we know (the Saudi Royal family, etc.) or the devil we don't know (Osama Bin Laden). At the end of the day the fact remains that we and the Saudi elites want the same thing, we want Al Qaeda dismantled. I believe Musharraf of Pakistan would like Al Qaeda to drop off the face of planet as well. There reasoning however has nothing to do with the survival of the Western world and everything to do with the survival of their own established power. They know full well that once bin Laden and company are finished with the West, they will fix their gave upon those they feel do not live up to their ideal of Islamic behavior. In short, slowly but surely the dictators we like are realizing there's more to lose in continuing to support the side that will eventually want them dead anyway.

The following article is interesting to me because it isn't just the US that lays with tyrants but now the British are doing it as well. There's something to be said for backing away from idealization and embracing pragmatism. At the end of the day, we cannot defeat the terrorists and Mullah's without having the Saudi government and Musharraf on our side along with Karzai and select others. I hear good-hearted souls who cry out for those Arabs/Muslims whom are living under the dark night of tyranny all throughout the Middle East because we Westerners continue to validate their existence. As cold as this may sound, for the time being, such is life my friends.

Here's the story:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Britain are keen on bolstering overall cooperation and in the military field in particular, officials told a joint press conference here Saturday night.

Remarks to this effect came after the meeting of Saudi Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and General Inspector Prince Sultan bin Abdelaziz and British Defense Secretary John Reid.

On topics that came under discussion, Prince Sultan said there was exchange of information, review of the different aspects of the strong relations between the two states, and the cooperation and coordination between the two armed forces specifically.

To a question on Saudi's declaration of willingness to share its expertise in combating terrorism with London, Secretary Reid said this initiative attests to the strong ties between Riyadh and London. He pointed out much could be learnt from Saudi's perseverance in the face of terrorism.

Referring to the latest terrorist strike, in Sharm El-Sheikh, the secretary remarked the international community fully sympathizes with Egypt and stands in solidarity with its people.

The secretary meanwhile stressed no military agreements were signed with Saudi Arabia but there is close cooperation in the areas of exchange of technology, expertise, staff and investments.

The British Defense Secretary arrived here Saturday evening and held talks with his counterpart on the latest regional and international issues and possible areas for improved cooperation to serve the two state's interests.