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Originally Posted by blankall
You also have to look at the sway the Saudis have in the arab world. They are the biggest dog in the arab world. If you want to keep the arab world, in general, happy, then you have to buy off the Saudis.
You've also got the major US military bases in Saudi Arabia. These play a strategic role in America's middle east policy.
Another issue is Russia and China. The US could easily put a contingent agreement on this arms sale, like you must allow political reform. However, the Saudis would probably jsut say screw you, we're going to warm up to China and Russia instead. China and Russia are all about their own interests (even moreso than the US) and are totally uninterested in any kind of human or environmental rights.
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Yup, there's a vicious circle argument to America wanting to gain energy independance. The minute that they reduce their reliance on mid east fossil fuels China and Russia will certainly take advantage of it and push their own agenda.
But, in all fairness, shouldn't the environmental groups be complaining about all of these tankers and underwater pipeline systems that could damage the fragile oceans of the world.