There are a lot of important events around the world that affect market prices, policy decisions and national stability but do not make the headlines or get even a hint of attention. The fact that Saudi Arabian concerns about Yemeni rebels have not been addressed in the media is an extremely alarming occurrence. It is a well-known fact that the house of Saud has very close ties with the United States. Primarily, it is the US elite that is interested in keeping close ties to Saudi Arabia for it is key to the Middle East and the rich oil deposits and the industries that support oil production. Saudi Arabia, currently, is the representative state of the Arab world.

As an example, during the first Gulf War, it was Saudi Arabia that got most major Middle Eastern countries to assist the United States in its war effort. Although no Arab nation took direct part in the combat, the ability for the United States to base its military in surrounding countries was a major boost. Without the influence of Riyadh in the region, the United States would not be able to secure its position in the Middle East.

When the United States first took interest in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia was number one on the list of US aspirations in the region. Supporting the Wahhabi regime was what secured long-term ties and large oil profits for the American elite and Washington.

The Gulf War was not only about US and Iraq. It was about Britain and its former affairs in the Middle East. Most of all, it was about the fact that Iraq presented a potential competitor to the Saudi dominance of the oil market. Saddam Hussein was not on the pro-Western side like most oil producing nations in the Middle East in the post-Soviet world. Thus, Washington, Riyadh and London all wanted to get a go at the second largest oil deposits in the Middle East.

Today, Iraq is no more, and Saudi Arabia still enjoys a disproportionate advantage over oil resources in the Middle East. The United States has an interest in keeping it that way. However, Iran is becoming a viable competitor to the Saudi power in the region. That is not something that sits well with Riyadh, Washington, London or Brussels. Each is doing their part in keeping Iran at bay. The latter three are involved in Afghanistan and Iraq, and impose heavy sanctions on Iran via the United Nations. Iran is still not a state powerful enough to be dictating its own rules.

Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia sees increasing Iranian meddling in rebel and terrorist activities on its borders and inside as a rising threat to national security (officially), its status as a representative state of the Arab world, and Riyadh’s control of the oil market in the Middle East. There is no doubt in my mind that the Untied States and Britain all help the Saudis in this affair, for it benefits each greatly to keep the world as it is.

It will be interesting to see how else Brussels, Washington and London will try to ensure their dominance over the black gold. The House of Saud is more than happy to help out the Westerners because they give a sizable cut of the profits to the ruling elite. Now the battle has begun within the Arab world. The fight is for the right to be the leading state of the Arab people. The outcome of this, many years down the road, may cause a large shift in foreign policies set by future world leaders.

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