Obama's actions pushing the Saudi Arabia toward Russia and China

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Companion Thread:

• Is Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Libya Facing Real Unrest or a Manufactured Crisis?

White House actions pushing Saudi Arabia toward China and Russia


Saudi Arabia is reported to be so dissatisfied with the Obama administration over its dealings in Middle East affairs that it has sent high-ranking representatives to China and Russia to establish greater trade relations with them.

In what could prove to have devastating impact on America's energy infrastructure and the overall US economy, Saudi Arabia's leadership is reported to have said that it is “so unhappy with the Obama administration for the way it pushed out President Mubarak of Egypt” that it is actively seeking better economic ties with America's most significant competitors, China and Russia.

Reporting on the challenges facing US Defense Secretary Robert Gates across the broader Middle East region, NBC's "Nightly News" said that Mr. Gates is experiencing very tough questions throughout his regional tour.

"And a lot of those questions presumably will come from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia,” Tom Brokaw reported on Wednesday, according to CNS News. “I was told on the way in here that the Saudis are so unhappy with the Obama administration for the way it pushed out President Mubarak of Egypt that it sent high level emissaries to China and Russia to tell those two countries that Saudi Arabia now is prepared to do more business with them.” The unrest sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East and the demands for reform and democracy in the countries most affected by the popular uprisings have put Arab monarchies and dictatorships on notice.

Most US allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia, do not offer representative government and have not instituted any meaningful reforms for their respective populations.

Protests raging in Yemen and Bahrain, and the uneasy prospect of more organized popular demands emerging in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, reflect environments where key American allies are seeing their governments under siege and crumbling. Voice of America reported on Wednesday that Gulf State mediators have asked Yemen's president to resign.

Meanwhile, Bahrain's leadership has further cracked down on protesters there, according to The New York Times. However, Saudi Arabia's concerns emanate from the manner in which Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak was removed from power.

Mubarak had been an American ally for decades and yet the Obama administration, in the eyes of Saudi criticism, turned its back on the Egyptian government when reformist protests spilled into the streets. Mr. Gates met with the Saudi king on Wednesday, and the Associated Press reported that the purpose of the meeting was to smooth relations with the uneasy and oil-rich ally, noting that "this was Gates' third trip to the area in the past month." Saudi Arabia is ranked third among crude oil imports to the US, representing over a million barrels of oil per day, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

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Companion Threads:

• Saudi Arabia threatens split with US if Obama vetos Palestinian statehood bid
  
• United states strategically confronted with China-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia triangle
  
• China exceeds US to become Saudi Arabia's top oil customer

Other threads:

• Bases in the southwest being considered home for Saudi Airforce
  
• Obama Gives Saudi Arabia “Open Access” to American Skies
  

Report: Putin seeking to resume Russia-Egypt military ties amid US vacuum

By JPOST.COM STAFF
10/27/2013 04:37

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Following weakening of Egypt-US ties, Sunday Times reports Moscow may be eying Egypt's Mediterranean ports for naval use.



Vladimir Putin speaking at CSTO meeting in Sochi, September 23, 2013. Photo: Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering paying a state visit to Egypt to take advantage of frayed ties between Washington and Cairo and possibly gain access to Mediterranean ports, the Sunday Times of London reported.

The United States announced on October 9 that it had decided to “hold the delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the [Egyptian] government pending credible progress toward an inclusive, democratically elected civilian government through free and fair elections.”

Related:

• Israeli officials say Egypt peace treaty is paramount amid US decision to cut Cairo aid
• United Arabs Emirates to grant Egypt additional $3.9b. in assistance

The US move came days after 57 people died in clashes amid the crackdown by security forces on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Putin is seeking to resume military ties with Egypt in light of the vacuum created by Washington’s decision and fears of a return to the Cold War era rivalry in the region, the Sunday Times reported.

Among Russia’s motivations, the newspaper suggests, is access to Egypt’s Mediterranean ports. Russia’s only base in the Mediterranean, the Syrian port of Tartus, could be lost if ally President Bashar Assad’s is driven from power.

“Tartus is vulnerable and not good enough and the Egyptian ports are perfect for the Russian navy,” the British paper quoted an Israeli defense source as saying.

Putin is also seeking to fill the void left by the US withdrawal from Iraq and strained ties between Washington and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Sunday Times reported.

“The US is in retreat all over the Middle East: Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. And the Russians are stepping in and intend to stay,” the paper quoted the Israeli security source as saying.

[American Patriot]

Of course he is. Did anyone think anything different? LOL

Each country, those with nukes, will do what they can to stay on top. Unless you're the United States - and then it would be soooo much better to be considered "European" by the Elitists....

[Avvakum]

Someday we'll be talking about 'who lost Egypt?' or 'Who lost the Middle East?' like we did about Iran in 1979.

Well, actually we won't because if it comes to that the United States is finished as a global power.

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Saudi Arabia said to have bought nukes from Pakistan

Warheads stand ready for delivery if and when Iran goes nuclear, report says; Riyadh has the missiles needed to launch them

By Stuart Winer November 7, 2013, 10:10 am

Test launch of a Pakistan-made Shaheen ballistic missile (screen capture: Youtube/Al Jazeera English)

Saudi Arabia may be prepared to field nuclear bombs it has purchased from Pakistan in response to Iran’s alleged military nuclear program, and may already have deployed missile systems capable of delivering the bombs, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

According to Mark Urban, diplomatic and defense editor for the BBC’s Newsnight, there are suggestions that the Saudis have paid for a number of nuclear weapons that are ready and waiting in Pakistan. If the reports are accurate, the kingdom could have atomic weapons on its missiles even before Iran has that capability.

Urban said it was an assessment shared by the former head of the IDF’s head of intelligence, Amos Yadlin, and cited comments Yadlin made to that effect at a conference in Sweden last month.

“The Saudis will not wait one month,” Yadlin reportedly said. “They already paid for the bomb, they will go to Pakistan and bring what they need to bring.”

Another source, described as “a senior NATO decision maker,” told Urban earlier this year of an intelligence report about Pakistani-made nuclear weapons ready for delivery to the kingdom.

Since 2009 Saudi Arabia has been sending clear warnings to the US that it will not sit back and let Iran go nuclear.

“I do think that the Saudis believe that they have some understanding with Pakistan that, in extremis,” they would be able to get nuclear weapons from Pakistan, Gary Samore, who until May this year was US President Barack Obama’s counter-proliferation adviser, was quoted as saying.

The Saudis already have the means to deliver nuclear weapons after acquiring Chinese-made CSS-2 missiles during the 1980s. The missiles, which have a range of over 2,500 kilometers, can be armed with nuclear warheads. In addition, it has been clear for many years that Saudi Arabia was funding the Pakistani defense establishment, the report said.

“What did we think the Saudis were giving us all that money for?” a senior Pakistan official was quoted as saying. “It wasn’t charity.”

The report did not say whether the warheads would simply be handed over to the Saudis, or if Pakistani military units would be deployed in the kingdom to oversee their use, although it suggested that Pakistani-made Shaheen (Falcon) ballistic missiles were already stationed in Saudia Arabia, minus their warheads.

In an email to the BBC, Yadlin left no doubt as to his take on the gravity of the prospect of a nuclear-armed Saudi Arabia.

“Unlike other potential regional threats, the Saudi one is very credible and imminent,” he wrote.
Officially, both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia denied the reports. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry told the BBC in a statement that the report of nuclear bombs ready and waiting was “speculative, mischievous and baseless.”

“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapon state with robust command and control structures and comprehensive export controls,” the statement said.

The Saudi Arabian embassy in London similarly rejected the suggestion and noted that the kingdom was signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The embassy added that Saudi Arabia had rejected an offer to take a seat on the United Nations Security Council due, among other reasons, to the failure to keep the Middle East free of nuclear weapons.

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Saudi Arabia Chases Closer Ties With China



CNBC is doing their best to downplay and whitewash the threat, however, from the daily headlines one can easily see China along with other nations are undermining the USA’s stability. They’re working on dethroning the Dollar, creating an alternative to the American-led internet, cyber hacking critical infrastructure/financial systems/military networks and so on. America is under full assault and it’s not difficult to see for those who would rather follow the news and not the Kardashians.

Saudi Arabia was already disappointed by the Obama administration’s decision to side with Russia and opt against military strikes on Syria, effectively ending Saudi hopes that the U.S. would turn the tide against the Iran-allied government of Bashar Assad in Damascus.

“The Syrian issue was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The kingdom is concerned that any victory for Assad would boost Iran’s regional influence,” Naser Al-Tamimi, author of “China-Saudi Arabia Relations, 1990-2012: Marriage of Convenience or Strategic Alliance?” explained to CNBC.
…
“A true relationship between friends is based on sincerity, candor and frankness, rather than mere courtesy,” Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal said during a joint news conference.

The latest tensions between traditional allies the U.S. and Saudi Arabia come as the Saudi-China relationship has been growing rapidly in recent years.

In 2009, Saudi exports to China exceeded those to the U.S. for the first time. That comes as U.S. oil imports are expected to fall overall, thanks to its own domestic energy boom.

Chinese investments in Saudi Arabia are on the rise too: China has spent massively on oil refineries in Saudi Arabia and even signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the desert kingdom.

However, a full swing by the OPEC’s top exporter toward China is complicated by the fact that oil is still priced in U.S. dollars, and Saudi Arabia’s currency is pegged to the greenback. The Saudis have also invested billions of dollars of oil revenue in U.S. Treasury bonds over the years.

Moreover, the Chinese didn’t help their own cause with the Saudis when they blocked United Nations Security Council resolutions against Syria and Iran.

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Putin Called Saudi King, Next US Ally Lost?

Russian President Putin calls Saudi King Abdullah, talk hints Saudi Arabia like Egypt abandoning US for Russia.

By Ari Yashar First Publish: 11/13/2013, 12:42 AM



Russian President Vladimir Putin called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Sunday, according to Al Arabiya. The overture hints that Saudi Arabia, like Egypt, is poised to shift alliances from the US to Russia.

The two leaders discussed ties between the two countries as well as regional issues such as the Syrian conflict and Iranian nuclear talks. Russian officials told AFP that the two leaders "expressed a mutual interest in furthering cooperation and maintaining contacts at various levels."

The overtures between Russia and Saudi Arabia mirror recent announcements of cooperation between Russia and Egypt. The rapprochement between those two nations is anticipated to be sealed in a $15 billion arms deal largely funded by Saudi Arabia.

Analyst and attorney Mark Langfan in August predicted that US President Barack Obama had lost American ties with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and that the Saudis, in distancing themselves from Obama, would turn towards Russia.

Langfan furthermore predicted America's loss of naval support from Egypt, saying the country would also turn to Russia following a partial suspension of US military aid.

Indeed the Russian replacement of America in terms of cooperation with Egypt and regional influence in general appears to be coming to fruition, as America began withdrawing warships from the Middle East last Friday, less than a week after Russia sent its most powerful warships to the Mediterranean.

The most visible signs of how rocky American-Saudi ties have been came in October when Saudia Arabia rejected a UN Security Council seat in a show of frustration with Obama's handling of the Syrian crisis and his weak stance on Iran.

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Companion Threads:

• China's new alliance strategy to isolate U.S. from its allies before war
  
• Secret moves launched by China, Russia, Japan, France, Arab States to end the Dollar
  

China and the future alliance with Saudi Arabia

Sunday, 16 March 2014
Abdulrahman al-Rashed

Difficult years lie ahead, perhaps five or even 10 years. This future requires a new regional and international approach. The U.S. may no longer have the prominent role it garnered after becoming the major player following World War II and Europe will become more concerned regarding its southern neighbors in northern Africa. Other countries, such as those in the Arab Gulf, may have to create small blocs to defend themselves. They may also have to establish additional alliances based on big interests.

Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz’s visit to China is of additional interest. Saudi Arabia is special to China as it is a prominent partner. On a daily basis, China buys more than one million barrels of oil from Saudi Arabia. Also, Saudi Arabia remains the spiritual country of reference for the Chinese Muslim minority.

I was present on this visit to China. Before now, I witnessed Saudi political openness towards China when King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz decided that China would be the first country he visited after assuming governance. King Abdulaziz thus ended a long era of ruptured relations between the two states.

Oil and large scale investments are the foundation of a long-term relationship between China and Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman al-Rashed

The problem is that the Chinese don’t like politics much. So, the important question is: how can one seeking to protect his interests depend on this sleeping dragon? Countries that will confront new challenges over the next few years will have to protect their interests. Prominent countries such as those in Europe and China know that relations with stable countries are better than relations with erratic countries or with countries such as Iran. There are several signs which indicate China’s desire to expand the scope of its strategic interests and not just the scope of its purchases. Oil and large scale investments are the foundation of a long-term relationship between China and Saudi Arabia.

Expanding relations with China

The Saudi delegation, which ends its visit on Sunday, wants to expand relations with China. This may balance out Saudi Arabia’s oil exports at a time when the U.S. says it is no longer capable of buying oil from the Gulf as it has enough shale oil.

China itself is in a state of transition similar to countries like Saudi Arabia – it is undergoing a gradual transition, one that may appear slow.

Although it has been 20 years since my first visit to China, the country continues to be mysterious and interesting. Almost everything has changed in Beijing. When I first visited, Beijing’s wide streets were packed with bicycles. There were tens of thousands of them and very few cars. A dark cloud from the coal used in heating systems covered the city. However China, its people and its ideology have changed. Despite this, the regime, which staged a counter-revolution, hasn’t and it is trying to make a gradual transition whilst avoiding chaos. This is how China managed to become one of the richest and strongest economies in the world. It is now at a point where it wants access to new markets and wants to cement new alliances.

This does not necessarily mean that China will replace America, but it will be an important player on the world stage. Also, its philosophy and practices are different to Russia’s, which exposed its ugly face wherever it intervened.

Analysis: Ever-growing business ties between China and Saudi Arabia

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, China, on March 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

The Great Hall of the People was built in 1959 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Then-US President Richard Nixon dined in its banquet hall during his historic visit to the country in 1972. This week, the Great Hall hosted a welcome ceremony for Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz; the setting underscores the symbolism of the Crown Prince’s visit to China. This is the year when the Asian giant is set to become the largest oil importer in the world, as well as the largest export market for Saudi oil. Energy is the main driver of an ever-closer Saudi–Sino relationship, which now also boasts growing investment, trade and people-to-people ties.

Beijing and Riyadh only established diplomatic relations in 1990, yet a fundamental development in China only three years later promptly highlighted the potential for strong bilateral ties. In 1993, China became a net oil importer. Saudi Arabia quickly developed into its largest source of oil, covering 19 percent of all Chinese oil imports by 2013. Even though recent Chinese customs data suggests that Beijing is trying to diversify its sources by increasing imports from countries such as Iraq and Oman, Saudi Arabia has two advantages over other suppliers: it is stable, and Saudi–Sino relations now go beyond the oil sector. Thus, it is very likely that Saudi Arabia will remain China’s largest oil source for years to come.

Indeed, Riyadh also has powerful incentives to consolidate its exports to the Asian giant. For once, China is the second-largest destination of Saudi oil, accounting for 14 percent of its exports in 2012. With the ongoing fracking revolution in the United States and subdued economic growth in the European Union and Japan, China is set to develop into an even more important destination for Saudi oil. Becoming its largest export market this year would only draw further attention to the energy ties between the two countries.

President Xi Jinping and Crown Prince Salman called for broader cooperation during this week’s meeting in Beijing. They recognize both the already multifaceted nature of bilateral links and the potential to build on existing relations to further deepen them.

Investment is the area in which Saudi—Sino ties are strongest and also hold greatest potential. Data from the UN Conference on Trade and Development shows that China is the largest Asian source of Saudi Arabia’s inward foreign direct investment (FDI), as well as the biggest destination of Saudi investment in the continent. FDI is dominated by state-owned companies such as Aramco and Sinopec investing in refineries in each other’s countries. Landmark projects in this area include the Fujian and Yanbu complexes.

Bilateral investment links run deeper though. Aramco and Sinopec also have a gas exploration joint venture, and the Chinese company’s first-ever international downstream investment involved its Saudi partner. Beyond the energy sector, Chinese companies have been busy investing in multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and industry projects in the Gulf country. This trend is set to increase. Both Beijing and Riyadh sit on large cash piles ready for investment. Furthermore, both governments have recently started investor-friendly reforms in a bid to attract more FDI. There now seems to be an air of inevitability behind Saudi–Sino investment flows.

Similarly, bilateral trade volumes have grown and become more diversified. Trade between the two countries reached 73 billion US dollars in 2012, increasing by 14 percent from the previous year. China is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner, only behind the US. While Saudi Arabia is not one of China’s largest trading partners, the Gulf kingdom is its most important export destination in the region. Rising demand for cheap Chinese goods and other, more expensive products such as Geely cars are helping drive the growth in trade. This trend is likely to continue as Chinese companies seek to increase their market share in the Gulf and Saudi consumers become more knowledgeable about Chinese products. Were a proposed Sino–GCC Free Trade Agreement to be signed, trade would receive another boost. There is hope that Crown Prince Salman’s meeting with President Xi will help in this respect.

Growing people-to-people links underpin an increasingly market-oriented relationship. Students and businesspeople are travelling in both directions in growing numbers. Most notably, it is becoming de rigueur for young Chinese people to spend some time at a Gulf institution in order to crack the oil sector.

No country has benefited more from this trend than Saudi Arabia, with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology welcoming increasing numbers of Chinese students. While the approximately 400 Chinese students in Saudi Arabia and 1,300 Saudi students in China seem like a drop in the ocean, it is their quality that matters. Most of them are highly qualified young people who most probably will be key to maintaining and expanding bilateral energy, trade and investment flows between both countries for years to come. Beijing’s Great Hall of the People could soon have to make room for more Saudi visitors.

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Saudi Arabia reveals country's ballistic missiles


The Kingdom unveils missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads purchased from China; but while Israel used to be Saudi's main target, Riyadh and Jerusalem now have a common enemy - Iran.

Udi Etzion

Published: 05.01.14, 21:26 / Israel News

Saudi Arabia showcased its new ballistic missiles in the country's military parade on Thursday. The Chinese-made Dongfeng-3 missiles have a range of up to 3,300 kilometers and are armed with nuclear warheads.

In the past, sources voiced concern that the Saudi missile's main target is Israel, but due to the growing strategic rivalry between the Riyadh and Tehran, Iran has become the primary enemy.

Saudi Arabia's Ballistic Missiles (Photo: Fisher Institute)

Related stories:

• Obama makes fence-mending trip to Saudi Arabia
• Report: Israel, Saudi Arabia cooperating on possible attack on Iran

"Israel is no longer the topic of choice, we are looking at a dramatic step meant first and foremost to deter Iran," said Tal Inbar, the head of center for space studies at the Fisher Institute in Herzliya – which has been tracking the missile arsenals of Middle Eastern governments.

"The Saudis want to clarify to the US – with which they've disagreed over talks with Iran – that, if necessary, they have the ability to unilaterally deal with Tehran," he said.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia with US President Barack Obama (Photo: AP)

The Dongfeng-3 missiles, outdated by Chinese standards, were recently revealed at a military parade in their launchers. While the missiles were sold to Saudi Arabia with conventional warheads, they are capable of carrying nuclear payloads, if the Islamic kingdom purchases such weapons in the future.

In recent years, the Saudis have been purchasing the relatively-new Dongfeng-21 from China. The new missiles have an extended range and upgraded precision targeting capabilities.

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Saudi Arabia Shows Off Chinese Missiles

Saudis send message to United States, Iran in military parade

Abdullah's Sword parade showcases Saudi Arabian DF-3 IRBMs

BY: Bill Gertz
May 2, 2014 2:00 pm

Saudi Arabia’s military for the first time displayed Chinese made intermediate-range missiles during a recent military parade in the kingdom.

The unveiling of the two Chinese DF-3 missiles is the latest sign that the oil-rich kingdom is distancing itself from the United States.

The missiles were shown during a large-scale military parade featuring troops, warplanes and other military hardware. The parade marked the end of a large military exercise known as Abdullah’s Sword that ended April 29 in northeastern region of Hafar al Batan.

The DF-3s were purchased by the Saudis in a secret deal with Beijing in 1987 and the sale was the first time intermediate-range missiles had been exported.

The missiles are considered nuclear-capable because their accuracy as conventionally armed weapons is limited.


Screen capture from State-run Saudi media

Security analysts have speculated that the DF-3s are part of a secret agreement between the kingdom and Pakistan to share some of Islamabad’s nuclear warheads for the missiles in a future crisis or conflict.

Saudi Arabia is an arch foe of Iran and has been pressing the Obama administration to take a more forceful posture toward ending Iran’s covert nuclear arms program.

The disclosure of the missiles follows a recent visit to China by Saudi defense officials who U.S. officials say are angered at the Obama administration over its policies toward Iran.

Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud traveled to Pakistan in February. U.S. officials said the visit was an indication that the Saudis are preparing to purchase Chinese-designed JF-17 combat jets from the Pakistanis.

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Sultan also visited Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila fueling reports that the Saudi are buying the Chinese-Pakistani Al-Khalid tank.

The visit was viewed by U.S. officials as a clear indicator of Saudi anger at conciliatory Obama administration policies toward a deal with Iran on its nuclear program, and a perception in Riyadh that the United States is not supporting its friends.

Simon Henderson, a Middle East analyst with the Washington Institute, said the display of the missiles appears to be Saudi “messaging” to both the United States and Iran.

“These missiles were supplied to Saudi Arabia in 1987 and have long been based in the mountainous desert well south of Riyadh, from where they can target Iran,” Henderson said in a written analysis.

“The missile display signals Saudi Arabia’s determination to counter Tehran’s growing strength, as well as its readiness to act independently of the United States,” he said. “In particular, the presence of Pakistan’s top military commander [at the Saudi military parade] will reawaken speculation that Riyadh may seek to acquire nuclear warheads from Islamabad to match Iran’s potential.”

On relations with the United States, Henderson said reports from the summit in March between President Obama and King Abdullah revealed it was a “difficult” meeting.

Saudi Arabia in the past assured the United States that the DF-3 would not be equipped with nuclear warheads.


Screen capture from State-run Saudi media

Newsweek reported Jan. 29 that China also secretly supplied Saudi Arabia with more advanced DF-21 medium range missiles—among Beijing’s most advanced missiles that have been modified for use in attacking satellites and aircraft carriers at sea.

No DF-21s were displayed during the military parade.

“For Washington, the Saudi display is a reminder that Riyadh remains profoundly concerned about the course of events in the region,” Henderson said. “As the dominance of U.S.-supplied equipment in the parade indicated, Washington is still the kingdom’s preferred security partner, but the relationship continues to show signs of being frayed.”

Saudi press reports said the military exercises last month were the largest in the country’s history and involved tens of thousands of troops, jets, helicopters, ships and anti-missile systems.

“We are preparing our armed forces to protect the nation. The armed forces do not aim to attack anyone as this is not our wise government’s policy,” Lt. Gen. Hussian al Qabeel told state media.

According to U.S. officials, another sign that Saudi Arabia appears to be limiting its long-time friendship with the United States was the ouster last month of its intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, a former ambassador to the United States who was considered one of the most pro-U.S. officials in Riyadh.

News reports from the Middle East stated that Bandar was directing Saudi efforts to finance, arm and support Syrian rebels seeking the overthrow of the Bashar Assad regime in Damascus.

Bandar had been intelligence chief since 2012 and his departure from the post is widely regarded as an indication of a major shift in Saudi policy away from the United States.

[American Patriot]

So... do they know how to use those things?

[Avvakum]

So... do they know how to use those things?

If they aren't nuclear or chemical tipped, I imagine they're pretty worthless, might as well then be using German V-2's, which is almost what they are.

[Ryan Ruck]

I'm sure there are Chinese advisers training people on their use.

[American Patriot]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians didn't have a hand in that as well.

The best thing that everyone can do is keep the Middle East in an uproar.

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Bump

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Russia & Saudi Arabia seal major deals & sign OPEC+ long-term cooperation charter

14 Oct, 2019 15:12 / Updated 1 day ago


Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia © Reuters / Alexander Zemlianichenko

More than 20 deals have been signed on Monday between Moscow and Riyadh during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Saudi Arabia.

Agreements include the charter for long-term cooperation between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-cartel oil producers. Along with the charter, the two countries have signed a protocol on energy cooperation.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), and ESN Group agreed to invest in designing, building, and operating a methanol plant in Russia’s Far East, in the Amur region. The plant is expected to have an annual capacity of up to 2 million tons, according to RDIF.

Russia’s sovereign fund along with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and German investment group KGAL have agreed to invest $600 million in setting up a joint firm, called Roal, which will lease passenger jets in Russia.

RDIF said Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF will contribute to an investment in NefteTransService (NTS), Russia’s major railroad rolling stock operator, worth up to $300 million. RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev praised cooperation with PIF in Russian railroad logistics sector as a “testament of close collaboration.”

“We support the expansion of NefteTransService’s business as one of the leading players in the railway logistics market,” said Dmitriev.

RDIF, PIF, and the world’s most valuable company Saudi Aramco have also signed transaction documents to acquire a 30.76% shareholding in Russia’s Novomet, which is one of the leading producers of oil-submersible equipment.

The investment will be completed upon approval from Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service, RDIF said. This will be the first joint investment of RDIF and Saudi Aramco within the framework of the energy platform, which was created in 2017 with PIF participation for the sake of investing in Russia’s energy sector and possibly localizing business in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia afterwards.

“RDIF, in partnership with Saudi Aramco and PIF, will support significant growth of Novomet’s business both in Saudi Arabia and other key markets in the Middle East,” said Dmitriev.

“The company will be able to expand its pipeline of orders for the production and maintenance of equipment and further develop its product line,” he added.

Russia and Saudi Arabia have also agreed to the mutual expansion of agricultural and food products exports. The two sides signed a memorandum which, according to the head of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Dmitry Patrushev, provides for an increase in the supply of cereals, live animals, livestock products, food, fish products, shrimp, fruits and dates, niche crops, and forage grasses.

“Russian companies are interested not only in increasing trade volumes for traditional types of products, but are also ready to expand its range. We see prospects, including in terms of increasing supplies of poultry, beef, and mutton. We are ready to increase deliveries of oil and fat, dairy, flour products, and confectionery,” Patrushev said.

Meanwhile, a statement of intent was signed between Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos and the Saudi Space Commission, on cooperation in financing space exploration and the GLONASS global navigation satellite system