Friday November 5, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

The Saudis have declared that Iran's quest towards enriching uranium and their pursuit of nuclear technology is heading down an "explosive" path.

The term "explosive" is a quote from the former Saudi Ambassador to Great Britain and the United States, Prince Turki al Faisal.

Prince Turki is currently the Commissioner of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. He is also the former head of Saudi intelligence. He is a son of the previous king, a nephew of the current king and the brother of the current foreign minister.

Turki's comments are not tangential. They should be understood to be the official policy of the King of Saudi Arabia even if the King's name is not mentioned in the statement.

An important element in understanding the workings of a monarchy is determining which voices hold weight and which voices do not hold weight.

On issues of nuclear development, especially Iran's nuclear development, Prince Turki al Faisal is the voice that is heard inside the Saudi palace and the voice that should, therefore, be listened to outside the palace.

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