Saudi Arabia and France: Two Sputtering Flags
Did Saudi security forces collude with Al-Qaeda
to kidnap and slaughter Paul Johnson? Unfortunately, the kingdom is
freedom-impaired and so the truth may remain elusive-and therein lies the
problem: Truth and transparency. As Saudi Arabia stares apathetically at its
potential demise, it reaps the just deserts of its self-fractured foreign and
domestic policies-policies predicated on secret backroom deals, support for
terror in other world regions and cowardice before the long sword of
Wahabism. The Saudi melting pot has become a cauldron of mixed messages,
disingenuous pronouncements from smooth talking Ambassadors and a resultant
haven for terror that grows worse by the day. Saudi Arabia, however, has a
partner in neglect.
While old Europe declares American meddling
in Iraq to be the very model of destabilization in the Middle East, it was old
Europe itself, namely France, that helped perpetuated the scourge that now
infests the kingdom. Invoking “Liberty, equality and fraternity,” and in its
zeal to be the world’s equal opportunity terror haven, France welcomed violent
scoundrels of all races, religions, and nationalities. It was France, for
example, that fed crepes to the Ayatolla Khomeni as he plotted his murderous
return to Iran-the Saudis too have given refuge to the most horrific of God’s
creatures. France is now busy trying to hysterically undo its grievous errors by
“boldly” banning head scarves. France, too, has created a world in which it
may or may not emerge intact.
Nice-isms continue from each side. Recent
comments from the French foreign ministry to the Saudi government reflect
growing unease...or boisterous lip service-"With the hostage-taking
continuing, France condemns these acts of violence and terrorism in the
strongest possible terms. In these tragic circumstances, I wish to offer you in
the name of the French authorities and personally my heartfelt condolences and
to ask you to convey my deep sympathy to the families of the victims of these
attacks. In this difficult period, my country will be more than ever at the side
of yours in the necessary mobilization to fight terrorism.” France knows, like
the Saudis, that its burgeoning radical population will mean doom for both
nations. But Saudi Arabia and France have far more in common with each other
than a simple assortment of bad guys.
1) Both nations foolishly pride themselves
on being fiercely independent yet are only able to produce results commensurate
with their limited capabilities. France’s Napoleonic “strength” and
independence are a sham. The Kingdom has been unable to protect itself from
internal or external forces.
2) Both nations have had immoral asylum
policies, consciously importing those with both evil and noble intent.
3) Both nations have inordinate
anti-Semitism that they refuse to crush. Saudi Arabia encourages such murderous
hatred to deflect internal dissent-it is not working. In the service of offering
up Jews to placate a ravenously hungry radical Islamic populace,
France denies the existence of its rabid anti-Semitism.
4) Both nations are consistently abusive to
the United States, brainwashing its residents into believing that Americans have
satanic intent. The United States, with great determination and sacrifice,
painfully liberated both France and Saudi Arabia.
5) Both nations have turned a blind eye to
hate producing madrasses.
6) Both nations are selfishly fearful of an
all-out war on terror.
7) Both nations have no consistent national
core beliefs and are both in trouble-big trouble. Both will eventually be
calling on the defamed United States to bail them out, as they have done in the
past.
France and Saudi Arabia are broken, perhaps beyond repair. They chose the path of least resistance yet are now meeting fierce radicalized friction of their own design. The United States, of course, will somehow be blamed. Any recourse these two countries may have will hinge on their willingness to confront their imperfections-something they have been loath do so in the past. The Saudis must openly identify evil in their midst, purge their security services, become truthful and transparent. Both France and Saudi Arabia must fight anti-Semitism, shut down madrasses, stop indiscriminate asylum and openly announce a terror-killing agreement with Israel and the United States. The sword that adorns the Saudi flag is now more a symbol of the manner in which the nation will lose its head to Al-Qaeda, Frances tri-color, has become a symbol of profane diversity, hate and pomposity-fluttering flags are now sputtering flags. Will we read about the demise of both nations in some history book long before either will admit defeat or will conviction, transparency and dedication to the truth be their savior?
Marcus J. Goldman, MD is a psychiatrist and author of “The Joy of Fatherhood.” His work has appeared in The Washington Times, Tech Central Station and The Boston Herald. Dr. Goldman is a Guest Writer for OpinionEditorials.com.