Saudi Arabia where to next?

2007yellow430

Active Member
With the death of their king, and a change in government, I am wondering how this will affect the region from a military perspective. Anyone's thoughts on this?
 

KiwiRob

Well-Known Member
With the death of their king, and a change in government, I am wondering how this will affect the region from a military perspective. Anyone's thoughts on this?
One old man has died and will be replaced by another old man, I doubt there will be much if any change at all. We have to wait for the next old man to die before any of the younger generation of the House of Saud takes over for there to be any real change.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Yep. They're still working through the sons of Abdul Aziz (1876-1953, ruled 1902-53). Not many left, but the latest one, Salman, has nominated yet another (Muqrin) as his heir. Salman's 11 years younger than Abdullah, & Muqrin is another 10 years younger - which means he was conceived when Abdul Aziz was 69 years old. He's the last brother set to inherit.

There are other brothers still alive, but they're mostly either physically frail or ruled out for reasons of politics, character, family quarrels or competence. For example, there are a couple who (together with others who've since died) advocated a degree of democratisation, back in the 1950s, & got shut out.

Salman's named one of the next generation to follow him, nephew Muhammed bin Nayef, son of a brother who died a couple of years ago. When he inherits is when it could get iffy.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
150000 is all of their regular ground forces, including the National Guard.

I think the number is exaggerated.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Tangentally, Saudi-led air strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi Shi'ite Militia's within Yemen (Saana) overnight. Named “Operation Decisive Storm", Royal Saudi Air Force has 'no-fly' zone in place, across the length of the country and declared seaport closures.

Saudi's take a big lead in this.

Pre-curser to a ground effort?
Saudi Arabia Masses 150,000 Troops to Support Airstrikes in Yemen

Saudi & coalition partner build up
The Iranians will be watching how effective Saudi forces really are should they decide to go into Yemen. Hopefully they can put in a better effort than their dysfunctional neighbour to the north.
 

SABRE

Super Moderator
Verified Defense Pro
Tangentally, Saudi-led air strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi Shi'ite Militia's within Yemen (Saana) overnight. Named “Operation Decisive Storm", Royal Saudi Air Force has 'no-fly' zone in place, across the length of the country and declared seaport closures.

Saudi's take a big lead in this.

Pre-curser to a ground effort?
Saudi Arabia Masses 150,000 Troops to Support Airstrikes in Yemen

Saudi & coalition partner build up
An interesting thing to take notice of is that Houthis are Zaidi Shia group, which is radically different from Iranian shias. In fact they have always strongly opposed the Iranian Shiaism, & base their own practices more aligned with Sunnis. Yet they have taken support from Iran.

This whole situation could have been easily avoided with diplomacy. But as usual Saudis let their guns talk first. In fact they know they have been rash & are calling upon Pakistan to ensure its territorial sovereignty in case Houthis cross over or there is some other uprising from within.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
An interesting thing to take notice of is that Houthis are Zaidi Shia group, which is radically different from Iranian shias. In fact they have always strongly opposed the Iranian Shiaism, & base their own practices more aligned with Sunnis. Yet they have taken support from Iran.

This whole situation could have been easily avoided with diplomacy. But as usual Saudis let their guns talk first. In fact they know they have been rash & are calling upon Pakistan to ensure its territorial sovereignty in case Houthis cross over or there is some other uprising from within.
Diplomacy was never an option. The Whahhibist infestation in Saudi Arabia would never allow it. Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan....they deserve each other.
 

Blackshoe

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
An interesting thing to take notice of is that Houthis are Zaidi Shia group, which is radically different from Iranian shias. In fact they have always strongly opposed the Iranian Shiaism, & base their own practices more aligned with Sunnis. Yet they have taken support from Iran.

This whole situation could have been easily avoided with diplomacy. But as usual Saudis let their guns talk first. In fact they know they have been rash & are calling upon Pakistan to ensure its territorial sovereignty in case Houthis cross over or there is some other uprising from within.
HAMAS is Sunni, and that hasn't stopped them from getting a lot of support from Iran.

I'm also not sure diplomacy could have solved any of this (especially since the problems of Yemen have been developing for awhile). Maybe mitigated...but not avoided. And even then...I'm not sure that either/both parties want to avoid it.
 
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