Hey WNYC producers. This story has not gotten much Buzz. This LA Times story says that 45% of the foreign fighters in Iraq are from Saudi Arabia. Aren't they our ally?
latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi15jul15,0,3132262.story?coll=la-home-center From the Los Angeles Times THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ: SAUDI ROLE IN INSURGENCY Saudis' role in Iraq insurgency outlined Sunni extremists from Saudi Arabia make up half the foreign fighters in Iraq, many suicide bombers, a U.S. official says. By Ned Parker Times Staff Writer
July 15, 2007
BAGHDAD — Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran, accusing it of helping insurgents and militias here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third neighbor, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.
About 45% of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia; 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa, according to official U.S. military figures made available to The Times by the senior officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are Saudis, he said.
Rest of the story is here.... http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi15jul15,0,3132262.story?coll=la-home-center
Jul. 16 2007 12:10 PM
Score: 0/0
Jeffrey Slott
from Queens, NY
This sort of situation brings up a quandary that I, and others, have observed in the past. Who is an elected politician really supposed to serve? The people who elected him or her? The party that he or she is a member of? Those who contributed money to their election? Or their own understanding of what is right or wrong?
Jul. 16 2007 10:58 AM
Score: 0/0
john
from manhattan
the observation that the people only want a maverick if the agree with you is flatout wrong. People fell away from John McCain's campaign when he started selling out in an attempt to appeal to the right wing. His embrace of W during the 2004 campaign was the begining of his current problems and over the next 2 years he squandered his reputation as a truth teller. Once you spend that capital it cannot be recovered. Meanwhile the right wing of the party never believed his pandering - so he lost on both counts. If you look back over the last 20 years to the campaigns of people like Paul Tsongis, or Ross Perot - both devoid of charisma - they were they were able to attract a huge following. Please don't encourage candidates to be any more cowardly than they already are!
Jul. 16 2007 10:49 AM
Score: 0/0
Christopher F
from Brooklyn
I don't understand why the Democrats aren't forcing the Republicans to *actually* filibuster legislation such as the Webb amendment. It was only a year ago the the Republicans were trying to portray the filibuster as "denying the will of the majority." Now they get a free pass when they do it.
Jul. 16 2007 10:34 AM
Score: 0/0
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more.
Learn more. Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm
your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the
right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the
Comment Guidelines before
posting.
By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's
Privacy Policy and
Terms Of Use.
Comments [4]
Hey WNYC producers. This story has not gotten much Buzz. This LA Times story says that 45% of the foreign fighters in Iraq are from Saudi Arabia. Aren't they our ally?
latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi15jul15,0,3132262.story?coll=la-home-center
From the Los Angeles Times
THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ: SAUDI ROLE IN INSURGENCY
Saudis' role in Iraq insurgency outlined
Sunni extremists from Saudi Arabia make up half the foreign fighters in Iraq, many suicide bombers, a U.S. official says.
By Ned Parker
Times Staff Writer
July 15, 2007
BAGHDAD — Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran, accusing it of helping insurgents and militias here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third neighbor, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.
About 45% of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia; 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa, according to official U.S. military figures made available to The Times by the senior officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are Saudis, he said.
Rest of the story is here....
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi15jul15,0,3132262.story?coll=la-home-center
This sort of situation brings up a quandary that I, and others, have observed in the past. Who is an elected politician really supposed to serve? The people who elected him or her? The party that he or she is a member of? Those who contributed money to their election? Or their own understanding of what is right or wrong?
the observation that the people only want a maverick if the agree with you is flatout wrong. People fell away from John McCain's campaign when he started selling out in an attempt to appeal to the right wing. His embrace of W during the 2004 campaign was the begining of his current problems and over the next 2 years he squandered his reputation as a truth teller.
Once you spend that capital it cannot be recovered. Meanwhile the right wing of the party never believed his pandering - so he lost on both counts. If you look back over the last 20 years to the campaigns of people like Paul Tsongis, or Ross Perot - both devoid of charisma - they were they were able to attract a huge following. Please don't encourage candidates to be any more cowardly than they already are!
I don't understand why the Democrats aren't forcing the Republicans to *actually* filibuster legislation such as the Webb amendment. It was only a year ago the the Republicans were trying to portray the filibuster as "denying the will of the majority." Now they get a free pass when they do it.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.