Just mad slashers, nothing to see here. Back to Abu Graib...

Nobody "escapes" from a Spec Ops force operation.
There are three rings of steel around any such operation.
I said it the same day it happened.

Interesting hostage-negotiation tactics the Saudis use:

"Let us go!"
"No."
"Let us go or we'll kill the hostages."
"...Okay. Off you go."

The guy who runs the Religious Policeman is correct. These guys were let to escape on purpose, and not for the reason given. Either they bribed their way out, or they had help from sympathetic police units.

FH
Sympathetic police who shared uniforms.

#4 FH :

I suspect a mixture of both.

Guy on FOX pointed this out:

Why were the Elite Saudi Commandos using a 40 year old CH-46 for their operation?

Saudi is so damned rich, you'd think they'ld have better equipment if they were serious about fighting terror.

You think maybe, just maybe, they would have surrounded the building, sealed off escape routes first thing.

You think maybe they're not serious?

There was an al Qaeda statement on JUS:

In The Name Of Allah, The Most Benevolent, The Most Merciful

All Praise Be to Allah, the Leader of the Muttaqun (pious people). There is no aggression except on aggressors. All peace be upon he who was sent with sword, the prophet of mercy, Muhammad and upon his family and companions. Ameen.

This morning, Saturday 10 Rabi Al-Akhir 1425, the Mujahideen, the heroes of Al-Quds Sar'ya managed, with the power of Allah, to break into the area of Americans companies called Al-Khobar Petroleum Center that that belongs to Haliburton, the American occupying company which consists of some specialized companies in the fields of oil and mining construction that are stealing Muslims' resources. As of now, they managed to kill and hurt some of our crusader enemies.

InshaAllah, all details will be published soon to inform you with the names of those heroes of Al-Quds Sar'ya.

Those heroes are an honorable example of Islam's youths in the Arabian Gulf. There are many others who are ready for shuhadaa (martyrdom), killing the enemies of Allah from those among the Christians, Jews and the followers of the apostate Arabian governors. Their (the Mujahideen) hearts are bleeding for what is happening to their Muslim brothers in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and everywhere. Keep watching as there is more to come to quench one's thirst, with Allah's Will.

O Lord, who revealed the Holy Book (Qura'n), moves the clouds and overpowers the gangs of enemies, strike America and its followers. O Lord, who is the most Strong, strike them, shake them and give us victory. Ameen.

Al-Qaida Organization of the Arab Gulf

That's There are many others who are ready for shuhadaa (martyrdom), killing the enemies of Allah from those among the Christians, Jews and the followers of the apostate Arabian governors. Their (the Mujahideen) hearts are bleeding for what is happening to their Muslim brothers in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and everywhere. Keep watching as there is more to come to quench one's thirst, with Allah's Will and O Lord, who revealed the Holy Book (Qura'n), moves the clouds and overpowers the gangs of enemies, strike America and its followers. O Lord, who is the most Strong, strike them, shake them and give us victory. Ameen. Al-Qaida Organization of the Arab

Yours sincerely, Saudi Arabia.

You gotta wonder why they didn't even bother to fastrope from the helo. Took way too much time exiting the aircraft.

#2

Nobody "escapes" from a Spec Ops force operation.

I agree. When I first heard of the "escape", I thought the terrorists were probably "embedded" with the Saudi forces.

AL-KHOBAR: Saudi forces hunted on Monday for three suspected Al Qaeda killers who escaped a massive security cordon after a bloody rampage that left 22 people dead, amid fears of even worse terror to come.

Witnesses reported that the gunmen appeared to have given their pursuers the slip again in the Dammam area where they were spotted on Sunday, some 10 kilometres from the scene of the carnage at Al-Khobar.

The search had focussed on Dammam after the Interior Ministry said the militants’ leader had been wounded and captured, but admitted his three accomplices fled aboard a vehicle. The trio then seized another car in a residential area of Dammam, capital of the oil-rich Eastern Province and pursued their flight, witnesses said. “Three armed men dressed in black sports gear waved guns and took my car in Dammam where they abandoned a pickup truck,” said Sultan al-Oteibi.
.....

Qaeda killers give Saudi forces the slip

Lets make a deal with the flea bitten muslim barbarians. If they, the muslim leave, the holy cities of Dearborn, Hamtramck and all other holy cities of the US than we will leave there pagan and satanic land.

Good Lord, who runs the Saudi Special Farces? Inspector Clousseau?

Let's see if I understand this correctly. We make some men strip to their underwear and are convicted in the public's eye for sins against humanity, they slaughter our civilians and.... nothing. Is that it? Am I missing something?

I think what we are seeing, as others have pointed out, is a war of succession among two (or more?) wings of the Saudi "Royal" family.

Jamie Irons

#14 John Lennon:

strip to their underwear and are convicted in the public's eye for sins against humanity, they slaughter our civilians and.... nothing

Pretty much.

#14 JL
Nope, I think you about got it. Sad, huh?

#14 John Lennon

Am I missing something?

Yes; both events are our fault. Just ask al-Reuters.

The House of Saud is going to fall.

If you think things are bad now, just wait.

#15 Jamie Irons

I think what we are seeing, as others have pointed out, is a war of succession among two (or more?) wings of the Saudi "Royal" family.

That's how I read it also. And it looks like the wrong side is winning.

#13 Cam

Or is it Inspector Osama bin Wormfood?

Earlier today I was reading V.D. Hanson's newish book of columns, 'Between War and Peace,' and he seems to think we should let the Saudi oil ticks fall and be replaced as the people will have it.

#14 John Lennon

Let's see if I understand this correctly. We make some men strip to their underwear and are convicted in the public's eye for sins against humanity, they slaughter our civilians and.... nothing. Is that it? Am I missing something?

Not quite nothing, the Saudis let them off the hook... there was no outcry of disgust from the Arab world. But they're still after the blood of the GIs at Abu Ghraib...

What's the betting the Saudis will "arrange" for more photos of Abu Ghraib to be released to the media so that the spotlight is off them!

Were there any public apologies for these murders? Have the world leaders denounced the rulers who allowed this to happen (as they denounced Bush and Rumsfeld)???

Let's not hold our breaths waiting for apologies - it's okay to sacrifice infidels while the rest of the world kisses the oil sheikhs arses!

#21 Powderfinger:

LOL. I always liked Mark Steyn's description :

"Osama bin Laden to Rest"

;-)

[Link: news.independent.co.uk...]

I dunno if they "let" them escape. They struck a deal that stopped them from slitting anymore throats with the intention of nabbing them in a different setting. The thugs were long gone by the time the Keystone Kops swooped in on that rattletrap CH-46 to "save the day."

They got the ringleader. I'd say give it up a couple days, maybe they'll roll up just more than the three who escaped.

The fall of the house of Saud is squarely in the court of Naif, Sultan, and Abdullah, none of whom seems to have the initiative or following to resolve the crises. They are pulling the Kingdom down on their own heads. Either a leader emerges from the next generation who allies with the technocrats and purges the opposition or Arabia becomes Meccanized and pulverized by tribal wars just as it was a hundred years ago. By the beginning of August or September the Kingdom will be a far different place than it is today.

If they were very clever, they might let a couple go so they could follow them.

The contradictions of a nation built on Islamic zealotry but dependent for its wealth and security on the secular, materialist West are now clashing in violence and terrorism.

I agree. The timing of these 'escapes' is suspicious.

OT, but related (click on the quote to see the whole CNN story)

www.cnn.com...] target="_blank">

The U.S. Army "dropped the ball" and treated Iraqi police officers like second-class citizens when they arrived to begin joint patrols with coalition troops in Najaf, an American adviser said Monday. The adviser said no sleeping arrangements were made, they were given no personal gear for their duties, and were given military rations for meals that included pork.

AWWW-WW-W-W_W_W. Poor babies!

Fuck these people. Fuck'em all.

D. Edgren

#22 Goldie

Earlier today I was reading V.D. Hanson's newish book of columns, 'Between War and Peace,' and he seems to think we should let the Saudi oil ticks fall and be replaced as the people will have it.

I disagree with VHD on this. There is a long standing precedent indicating that the people will not have much to say about what emerges when the House of Saud falls. If the Wahabbi/Al Qaeda alliance emerges as the victor, things could get very bad very fast, particularly for the reform faction in Saudi Arabia.

#30 D. Edgren (the Merciless Infidel)

military rations for meals that included pork.

gasp, the horror.

Oh wait, MREs come in boxes of about a dozen or so various meals. Chicken, hotdogs, beef stew, and yes, ham slice, pork chow mein, etc, all marked, right on the packaging for each meal.

Open the damn boxes, sort out the crap you don't like and swap it, you dumb lazy bastards.

#26, gymnast:

That soon, ya think?

What can the U.S. do if there's some sort of civil war going on in the Kingdom?

#30 - This sounds like the media is really scraping the bottom of the barrel in trying to find more Abu Ghraib-type "mistreatment" examples.

#32 K (ptbk)

You got that right...

But, I mean, it's really even more fundamental:

When we do something- we're wrong.

When we don't do something- we're wrong.

Like I said. Fuck'em all.

D. Edgren

The Saudi Arabian police couldn't find sand in the Persian Gulf.

13 Cam

How about Claude Rains as Vichy Capt. Louis Renault in Casablanca.

"Round up the usual suspects !"

#36 Paladin

That reminds me of an old Soviet joke (Paraphrasing):
If the Soviet Union took over the North Pole, there'd soon be a shortage of snow.

Where's my hat tip? ;>}

I have seen the Saudi forces perform in Somalia, their senior officers are fat pigs. Two of them can polish off a "kibas", which is a Somali goat. They puff and wheeze when walking. Most of the time whist in Somalia, they hid behind the Americans. I do not place much faith in their combat capabilities, no doubt they wear American uniforms, waepons and Humvees. They are simply hopeless. It has more to do with Islamic brotherhood, that's why the terrorists escaped.

And who is this 'advisor?'

Bush needs to get this asshat a ticket home- tonight- and pink-slip him (her, whatever) on arrival at the airport.

D. Edgren

Told you so. Tora bora, Pastun, Arabia. United in their hatred of the modern world.

#37 Bigsmoke:

LOL. 'Course, the problem is that they never do actually "round up the usual suspects"...

Al-muttawa suggests that Saudis turn this into a lottery

There was an interview of Walid Phares on TV today, which concerned this terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia.

Phares was asked about al Qaeda infiltration of Saudi security forces, which seems to be the obvious conclusion from the "escape" of three terrorists from the grip of the security forces. Phares replied that there is certainly al Qaeda infiltration of Saudi security forces. The question is not whether they are infiltrated, but to what extent.

Phares was also asked about the purpose of this terrorist incident. Phares replied that this provided a lesson to other jihadis on how to carry out such an operation.

I,too, was wondering about that helicopter...i mean it was like a vintage 1955 whirlybird...all the cash in the world and they cant get themselves arrested

Checkpoints set up across Saudi Arabia also failed to trace three Islamic militants

Check Prince Abdullah's palace, fellows. You might have better luck cornering your suspects.

43 Cam

Problem is, their usual suspects are never the real suspects.

GEE what a surprise...Im SHOCKED..Im shocked. They escaped..OH..Ma Gawd..magine THAT.

#48 Bigsmoke:

Problem is, their usual suspects are never the real suspects.

You're right. 'Course, it was 'prolly the Evil Zionist Cabal (Riyadh Division, Local #118)

;-)

#30 First pork is merely prosribed: you do not go to hell because you ate it. Indeed, ham is regularly exported to the Muslim world. Secondly, everbody knows it is easy to trade the MREs unless you get a real dog. Thirdly, pork is almost non-existent in the latest flavors. So you know this CNN reorter has his head up his ass, like usual. Just like you said.

#31 gb

If the Wahabbi/Al Qaeda alliance emerges as the victor, things could get very bad very fast, particularly for the reform faction in Saudi Arabia.

If the wahabbists took over Saudi Arabia, they'd also take control of the oil. There would be a worldwide economic collapse.

"Abu Ghraib" ... my new synonym for media groping.

One military analyst I heard on Fox tonight says he thinks its terminal, and gives the Saudis 5 - 10 years, at most.

So, are the Saudi princes still 95% sure that is was the Jooooooooooooooos?

#52 Nannette

If the Wahhabists took over SA and took over the oil, they would have a problem - they have to sell the oil to get moneyto do whatever they want!

SA doesn't export anything, and is dependent on oil money and pilgrimage tour money for its' existence. They are the largest single supplier of oil, but there's oil in Venezuela, California, Alaska, etc. My hope is that we would get oil from other places (including Iraq) and let the Wahhabis try eating their oil!

#55 Tish:

Don't forget Canada! We've got shitheaps of it.

(Mostly) OT: Japanese television coverage of this and other recent incidents

In my experience, Japanese TV coverage of the WOT is heavily biased in favor of (surprise!) the left. To wit: last night I was in and out of my living room several times while getting ready for bed. My wife was watching the Asahi TV program "Hodo Station". Since I learned long ago that this program as well as its predecessor (entitled Newsstation, for those who care) are good for nothing other than unintentional comedy, I tend to tune them out. While I was in the room foraging for my nightly dosage of pills, I happened to notice that Ichiro Furutachi, the program's odious anchorman, was engaging in some US-bashing. He pulled up a graphic that showed a list of all RoP terrorist activities that occurred over the past several days, from the combat in Afghanistan that claimed the lives of four US Special Forces soldiers to the terrorist activities in Saudi Arabia, to the assassination of the cleric in Karachi. Having done so, Furutachi proceeded to--wait for it--BLAME THE US! In the brief portion of the program I saw before cackling and stomping out of the room, the man NEVER ONCE even hinted at the slightest bit of culpability on the part of the perpetrators! In fact, he claimed that all of these incidents were the result of the democracy that the US (never the Coalition) is trying to spread throughout the region. Just for the record, the word he used for "spread" is one that is laced with negative connotations. Never mind that these events did not occur on the same day. Forget that Coalition forces were not even involved in all of them. Ignore the fact that people in that region of the world and others killed each other on a regular basis prior to 9/11. None of those things matters. In light of Furutachi's embarrassing performance, I hereby extend an invitation to all of you--shoot up a bus full of nuns or children and then rob a jewelry store with an open bottle of rye in one hand and a loaded shotgun in the other. After all, it'll be the fault of the bad old USA. I apologize for having rambled on about this, but it bothered me, particularly in light of the recent Al-Qaeda arrests in Japan. You'd think people would be down on terrorists. Judging by Hodo　Station and Furutachi, you'd be wrong. Comments?

OT:

Great, Britain backs lifting ban on selling weapons to China

Thanks Tony, there is a chance we will be facing those weapons in 10 years.

Let Saudi Arabia become an Islamic state. Then they can just be the third whistle stop for the B-1s after the inevitable nuking of Iran and Syria.

Don't ya'll worry no more. The entire kingdom is on the case now. The king done crawled out of bed and made a pronouncement.

"Every citizen, male and female is recruited to serve the country in combating this blight,'' the official Saudi Press Agency cited the King as telling a cabinet meeting yesterday. "Every official is considered a soldier.''

[Link: quote.bloomberg.com...]

So, let's hear. Why is this a surprise?

After the bombing in which Muslims were killed and Saudis complained that it was no jihad that was directed at Muslims, it must have been crystal clear to the entire world that Saudis support jihad against the West. Part of that support involves not capturing and not killing the jihadists or misreporting that they were killed.

Also, read the Saudi blog The Religious Policeman in which the guy is always riffing on how terrorists always manage to escape after Saudi authorities have them surrounded. Is there not an Arabic word for surround? Do the Saudi authorities know it? Did the U.S. never train the Saudis in the fine art of the surround?

I thought the King was a drooling idiot. I must be wrong. He makes as much sense as Judy Woodruff of CNN.

#57 cary strunk

Don't sweat the Japanese. Some of them are still pissed about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Never mind they caused it by attacking us at Pearl Harbor.

Some asshats never learn.

Consider the source.

OT:

Survivor of Warsaw Ghetto speaks out in support of the US

"Every war with fascism is our business"

Thanks to Tim Blair

Great site that you have here. I just wanted to comment on two things, first, I used to work as a US liaison to the Royal Saudi Air Force, their operation to rescue the hostages was a micorcosm as to their normal every day approach to life. Very rich military, but it is caught between rich people who still live as though they were in the 19th century. Officers in the RSAF are rich, they buy their positions, and the generals are like someting out of The Sopranos, they act more like God Fathers, not officers.

Second, since today was memorial day, did anyone notice anything on MTV or VH1 regarding Memorial Day? As a combat veteran myself I would like to know just how much they support they give me so I know how much to support them.

Rebelogger

Axeman, the tunes are screwed up! The playlist is still showing what was on yesterday! You know how critical a good accurate playlist is for the ultimate LGF experience! :)

John Lennon, put it down to the soft bigotry of low expectations, as GWB calls it. It seems the civilized world does not expect Arab Muslims to act as though they share humanity with the rest of the world. Therefore, when the AMs act barbarically there is nothing to say because the actors are behaving according to type. Thus, they have a long way to go to join the civilized world. Will an outcry induce them to join civilization sooner? The media doesn't think so.

The sad thing is that the AMs have bought into the bigotry but for a different reason. They expect a humanity and civility from the rest of the world that they are not willing to extend. Worse, they expect such because they have this Nazi-like sense of their own superiority. We have to be nice to them because they are our betters; we must please them. They have no corresponding desire to please or mollify us.

They are, you see, superior.

#44 Dar ul Harb
Thanks for that link.
Nice to know that there is at least one moderate Muslim blogger in Saudi Arabia. His comments concerning the regime are often funny. If he ever decides to leave the magic kingdom, he should save his material to try a stand-up comedy routine here in the US. If he stays there, it's of course much safer for him to be an anonymous blogger.

If he could clone himself a million times, it would give me hope concerning the future of Saudi Arabia.

Here is a decent article on what is at stake in Saudi Arabia :
Fall of the House of Saud
Sorry if this link was already posted.

If the house of Saud falls and open enemies of the US arise in their place, all it will accomplish will be to give us a good enough reason to roll the 4ID south.

What Islamic country is not on the verge of civil war? Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran...the list goes on...

oh yeah, it's all the Jews fault.

#52 Nannette

Saudi Arabia produces approximately 10% of the worlds oil output, a large but not fatal hit to world energy requirements. Oil revenue provides approximately 90% of Saudi government spending, the majority of which goes to social welfare programs in the kingdom. As others have pointed out they have to sell their oil somewhere and they can't eat or drink it.

While the US imports a substatial portion of it's oil requirements from SA, the far east is 100% dependent on gulf oil. China's reaction to a large increase in oil prices as a result of the takeover of the SA oil fields by a few Wahhabists might not be all that pleasant for the new owners.

#14 John Lennon

No, John, you see, making some hapless terror suspects play games of "Nekkid Twister" is an even greater crime than anything committed in Stalin's gulag.

Don't go being reasonable or anything, or you'll never figure it out. The only ones who can play this game have filed their heads into a point before they jumped in.

Anyone else notice that this time they dragged a Brit through the streets?

Keep going, splodeydopes. You're approaching critical mass.

There's no surprise, they got away. All they did is put their police uniforms back on and report to the police station.
The whole thing is a setup. I agree I think the division between factions of the royal family are starting to show up as major fault lines.

#57 Cary

Ya think he's still peeved that we "spread" democracy in Japan in the 1940s?

"O, for the days of gore of yore!"

#65 Rebelogger-- try CMT :)

Not surprised in the least. That whole country has to go!

What percentage of our (American) oil importation goes to fuel our automobiles? Using a WAG number, lets say %60. If we could reduce our automobile consumption by 1/3, we would require %20 less oil for importation (I am drunk at this point in the evening, if my math is wrong, I apologize. Blame the grape.) I propose we make a serious, non-half assed effort as a nation (Righties and lefties) to make the switch to electrically powered automobiles. (For the daily drivers, commuters. etc. Keep the Harleys, keep the big assed trucks for weekend fun. But if you have take the freeway to work, does it matter if its burning gasoline or running on batteries???) Make up the slack in electrical output by constructing a new generation of nuke plants. (They are safe and as green as anything in my view.) At that point we sit back, sip Corona and throw the middle finger at whoever runs Saudi at that point as they try to sell our former shitload of import to France or N. Korea or whoever.

Like you said, let them eat oil.

#33, Dar ul Harb. Once the Royal family starts to go down, it's going to fall faster than a sack of shit going down an elevator shaft. As to what the US can do about it? Watch, and then recognize a strong leader such as Al Gosaibi. The Al Saud gain their power and legitemacy in the Kingdom as the "Protectors of the Two Holy Places". It will be the failure of the alliance between the Al Saud and the Ulema that brings the house down. It appears that the schism within the Royal family is placing that alliance at risk. The Saudis always present themselves as they think they want to be percieved. Soon they will have to realize that they are seen as they really are. An increase in Saudi business at the arrivals terminal in Geneva will be a good indicator of the imminent fall of the House of Saud.

The best solution I've seen to permanently solving oil dependence is using biofuels. There is a refinery already operational making oil from waste. This is the smartest solution, at this stage of technology. There are so many approaches, so many sources that could work. One proposal makes good arguments for using algae farms to produce oil. As for hydrogen, its progressing, along with new solar technology.

So in a sense, it is us that would be eating our oil, but before its turned into oil. The Saudis, on the other hand, could be eating sand.

Think the Pentagon has contingency plans for seizing the oil fields of Saudi Arabia?

And to have seen our news media, even FOXNews, lick the bumcrevice of so many Saudi princes that day makes me want to vomit.

Saudi Arabia, pay attention: it takes 0 arabs to run an Arabian oil field.

#82, Will. Yep.

#82 Will

Speaking hypothetically, of course.

The U.S. has weapons which could wipe every trace of "civilization" from the region and never touch the resources underground.

Depending on delivery methods, total area of effect, medical response, etc, even non-nuclear methods could render the region passive in a period measured in days.

If the U.S. was willing to take the steps.

Why wouldn't they let them go free? After all the saudis fund most terror operations gainst non muslims.

Huh....big shock. How much you wanna bet the Saudis will scrape up some patsies in the next few days?

By the by, whatever happened to that people behind the Khobar towers boming a few years back? One of the ringleaders was arested in Canada a few years ago and they were trying to decide whether to extradite him to the USA or Saudi Arabia. Haven't heard much about it, so I'm guessing he went to the Frauds...

#67 Excellent post.
#86 GAZE.
#63 paladin & #76 Lady of Stallot (ylreveb)
Thank you for responding to my post. Although this thread is probably nearing its end (similar to the House of Saud), I would like to clarify a few things. I did not write my earlier post in order to criticize Japan as a whole or to invite opprobrium upon her. I was merely trying to call attention to the media, especially the pseudo-anchorman and program I referenced. The years I have been fortunate enough to spend in Japan, though peppered by episodes of frustration, have been in the main both enjoyable and productive. I credit the hospitality and sobriety of the Japanese people for a fair bit of my good fortune. For the past two years (roughly) I have lived in Hiroshima. Though the mayor gives a lot of lip service to pollyannaish peace initiatives, the majority of the people here, in my experience, are willing to let bygones be bygones, as am I. Yes, I grit my teeth and bear the empty suits and their bloviating every August 6th. I see them posture at Peace Memorial Park in front of an ever-aging audience of sympathizers and genuflecting Westerners desperate to score Rachel Corrie points. Still, rare has been the occasion on which I have been singled out for abuse because of my nationality. The majority of anti-American slings and arrows I have suffered occurred not in Hiroshima, but in Nagano, a prefecture largely spared the ravages of WWII. I suppose what I am trying to say is that it is my sincere hope that my post did not promote any misunderstandings regarding Japan. As I saw at a US Marine air show a few weeks ago, most people here like Americans and bear no grudges. While they may not have forgotten the war, they are decent enough not to bring it up. I would like to see us behave in the same manner.

Then again, I haven't been to Okinawa ;)

Once again, thanks to all who took the time to respond.

Hybrids? Elecrtics? Hydrogen? Most trips are under three miles, the technology for that is here and now. Bicycle ride anyone?

I wish I could even feign shock here with all the throat slitting, head chopping and body parts celebrations, but I was of the opinion that the animals, oops, the militants were allowed to flee from the begining.

There is no outrage sufficent enough now barring a nuclear blast in the West that will have any effect. Most people are literally unwilling to say or do anything against thr ROP.

England wants to do what, have Muslim friendly workplaces? are they mad? They'd better stop immigration from third world countries (Muslim) and fast. Then they'd better thin the ranks of their existing Muslim population by deporting all illegal Muslims then all "Militant" Muslims then all treasonous Muslims.

Get the picture?

It's Tuesday and the murders on Saudi are off the front pages and aren't mentioned in most papers....

#7 Krager,

I saw the report, too. Interesting follow-on in his summary...Saudia Arabia may be too far gone (read: infiltrated by al-Qaeda) to turn the tide.

I have a brother-in-law who works for their airline. He keeps going back...I keep waiting to hear the worst. His only saving grace is that he can pass for a Saudi with his now-silver hair and heavily tanned skin. But that wouldn't have helped him in this scenario, where terrorists storm an apartment and tell the Saudis they only want foreigners.

I say once the House of Fraud begins to fall, either the US or Israel needs to take out their F-15s & AWACS.

Saudi imam arrested on terror suspicion

This is one of the best summaries of the Saudi (non)response I have seen.

Alphabet city

I saw on the Saudi Embassy site they were emphatically denying the US had anything to do with the rescue.

#8 Dom--I wonder if a program could be writtten that would search for all these Al Queda words that are boiler-plate:Inshallah and enemies and infidels? In the same patterns as this dopey statement.
Then maybe the Isp could be tracked back and kaboom
or trace-the-call so to speak and then kaboom. it seems like they get their message out and we sit on our hands and don't try to interdict at all. What happned to jamming used in WWII. I wish we could get the Viagra and re-finance folks into their system.

They attackers MUST have been allowed to escape!

I was in Saudi Arabia last month, and ate at a restaurant in the Oasis complex. The complex occupies an entire block of a very upscale area. The streets are very wide and are laid out in a grid pattern. There are no hidden alleys to duck into, and the highways are several blocks away in any direction. Even if (highly unlikely) someone on the ground could not follow them, they would have been easily seen from the air. There was obviously at least one helicopter on the scene. Sheer imcomptetance cannot explain how they escaped.