So Much For "Strategic Partnership"

So much has been said about the relationship between the current US administration and Saudi Arabia., but this really takes the cake and the icing too. The government of Saudi Arabia has said it will side with the Sunnis in the civil war in Iraq. And this has been conveyed to Dick Cheney in his recent visit to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has told the Bush administration that it might provide financial backing to Iraqi Sunnis in any war against Iraq’s Shias if the United States pulls its troops out of Iraq, according to American and Arab diplomats.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia conveyed that message to Vice-President Dick Cheney two weeks ago during Cheney’s whirlwind visit to Riyadh, the officials said. During the visit, King Abdullah also expressed strong opposition to diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran, and pushed for Washington to encourage the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, senior Bush administration officials said.

The master is now dictating terms to the servant!! The Saudi Arabians are going to involve themselves in the civil war going on in Iraq and have told the Bush administration that they would do so. With the Iranians siding Shias, are we looking at a full fledge proxy war here? I’d say, yes. And who is going to be stuck in Iraq while this is going on? US and it’s coalition of the willing.