Bombing for the Saudis

[G_j]

It’s all super unclear, but the president’s public vow to bomb whoever Saudi Arabia tells us to is not reassuring. The Saudis are perfectly capable of fighting their own battles—we’ve sold them more than enough weaponry—but Trump’s stance throughout the crisis has been that, essentially, the U.S. military stands by to defend our favorite brutal authoritarian theocracy at any cost.

[gratuitous]

1. The U.S. military stands by to obey MBS's command

Remember when conservatives were losing their shit over the prospect of U.S. military personnel taking orders from foreigners at NATO maneuvers? Never mind that this was nothing new, and U.S. military personnel have long worked with our allies, taking orders from foreign officers. Now, Trump explicitly says that our military is ready to go into action on MBS's say-so and nothing more. The next peep you hear from conservatives about that will be the first.

[LonePirate]

2. I would guess the attack was from Yemen or self-inflicted before thinking it was Iran.

SA could eliminate or hamper a major competitor if the US engaged in a war with Iran. I do not trust any of the players in this mess.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. Are the Saudis even technically allies?

I mean, they still(?) fund schools that preach hatred of the US/West and almost all of the 9/11 hijackers were from SA. And do we want to go to bat for their unanswered for butchering of a journalist?

[Xolodno]

4. There is one flaw in your arguement....

Yes, they have the equipment. But even with all that equipment, they are totally inept. The war in Yemen is a proxy war between them and Iran and the Saudi's are losing badly, this is with Iran having one arm tied behind its back. The Saudi military does not have the experience to fight a war, whereas Iran has battle hardened troops who've "volunteered" in wars both in Yemen and Syria.

Add to that, the most capable army in the Mid-East is Israel....and Iran is the one country they fear. Granted Israel would win...but at one hell of a cost.

Hence why, the Saudi's, Israel, etc. want us to fight their war for them, they would rather we absorb the cost in lives and money.

But I agree, let's stay the hell out of this like we did with Syria. The Saudi's created this mess, they can fix it themselves, and if they can't, then let them go home and lick their wounds. It might teach them something.

[Bettie]

5. MBS is jealous that he called someone else

his favorite dictator, so he has to prove his love to him by killing a bunch of people.