02-04-2017, 10:08 AM
This is a really interesting discussion point. My $0.02...
In this still relatively new 21st century, which alliance is stronger for the US - the historical alliance with Great Britain and western Europe as western democracies, or the economic alliance with the House of Saud and as a result Sunni countries through the middle east.
This could go either way. The dependence on Saudi Arabia for cheap, reliable oil is certainly much less than in past decades, and this will only continue to decline. At some point is the US going to say that the negatives of the relationship outweigh the positives, and say screw it? While this is possible, the strong rhetoric that this administration is sending out against shia Iran tells me that the status quo will continue for at least the next few years.
As long as the US allies with Saudi Arabia, I gotta think pakistan is relatively safe. As soon as that starts to waver tho - and the best indicator would be a more conciliatory attitude towards Iran - I think all bets are off.
In this still relatively new 21st century, which alliance is stronger for the US - the historical alliance with Great Britain and western Europe as western democracies, or the economic alliance with the House of Saud and as a result Sunni countries through the middle east.
This could go either way. The dependence on Saudi Arabia for cheap, reliable oil is certainly much less than in past decades, and this will only continue to decline. At some point is the US going to say that the negatives of the relationship outweigh the positives, and say screw it? While this is possible, the strong rhetoric that this administration is sending out against shia Iran tells me that the status quo will continue for at least the next few years.
As long as the US allies with Saudi Arabia, I gotta think pakistan is relatively safe. As soon as that starts to waver tho - and the best indicator would be a more conciliatory attitude towards Iran - I think all bets are off.
"But there's a difference between error and dishonesty, and it's not a trivial difference." - Ben Greenman
"Relax, it'll be all right, and by that I mean it will first get worse."
"How was I supposed to know that there'd be consequences for my actions?" - Gina Linetti
"Relax, it'll be all right, and by that I mean it will first get worse."
"How was I supposed to know that there'd be consequences for my actions?" - Gina Linetti