Analyst: Sanders and others may succeed in removing military support for the Saudi monarchy

Independent US Senator Bernie Sanders and others may succeed in removing military support for the Saudi monarchy, according to an American political commentator in Oregon.

Charles Dunaway made the remarks in an interview with Press TV on Saturday after Sanders called for the withdrawal of American troops from Saudi Arabia and an end to military aid to the conservative kingdom for lowering oil production.

“If Saudi Arabia, one of the worst violators of human rights in the world, wants to partner with Russia to jack up US gas prices, it can get Putin to defend its monarchy,” the Vermont senator tweeted Friday after the OPEC+ bloc announced a cut in daily oil production.

“We must pull all US troops out of Saudi Arabia, stop selling them weapons & end its price-fixing oil cartel,” he added.

In a related move, a group of lawmakers has introduced a new bill that aims to end the US military support to Saudi Arabia.

House Representatives Tom Malinowski, Sean Casten and Susan Wild launched the motion on Wednesday.

“We see no reason why American troops and contractors should continue to provide this service to countries that are actively working against us,” they said.

Several congressional Democrats have had similar remarks on the announcement, which is poised to counter-sanctions on Russian oil and potentially drive up gas prices ahead of the midterm US elections.

“Once again, a handful of US Senators are calling for an end to military aid to Saudi Arabia.  Earlier this year, the same Senators tried and failed to reduce military support for the Saudi monarchy because of the war against Yemen.  Similar efforts were made following the dismemberment of Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi,” said Dunaway.

 “In each previous case, these efforts have failed but this time the US is in a far different position.  The US/NATO provocations in Ukraine have forced Russia’s hand and triggered a war that could result in the end of American hegemony.  Unfortunately for the US, its liberal use of illegal sanctions has eliminated several major OPEC+ nations as suppliers,” he stated.

“With an election only 4 weeks away, and US gas prices over $5/gallon in several key states, the Biden regime will be under considerable pressure to take some action, or at least give voters the perception that they are taking action,” he added.  

The ABC News-Washington Post poll, produced by Langer Research Associates and published on September 25, found that two-thirds of US voters think the upcoming midterm elections in November are more important than past midterms.  

The poll found that 67 percent of voters feel casting a ballot in the midterms is more important than in past elections, with 35 percent saying this year is “much” more important. 

“The neocon-dominated foreign policy establishment in Washington seems to have eliminated diplomacy as an option because it implies a willingness to compromise.  Instead, we see continuing pressure and threats against those who fail to obey, or outrageous demands being made of negotiating parties.  This case is different,” the analyst noted.

“Given the key role the Saudis play in West Asia, particularly in support for the Israelis and opposition to Iran, it seems unlikely that Senator Sanders and others will succeed in removing military support for the monarchy,” he concluded.

Legislation introduced in the House by Representatives Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) and Susan Wild (D-Pa.) would remove American troops and military hardware from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The number two Democrat in the Senate, Senator Dick Durbin, also demanded the passage of the legislation this week, and voiced support for a broader reevaluation of the Washington-Riyadh relationship, specifically seeking “unanswered questions” about the role of the Saudi state in the 9/11 attacks. 

“The Saudi royal family has never been a trustworthy ally of our nation,” Durbin said Thursday. “It’s time for our foreign policy to imagine a world without this alliance with these royal backstabbers.”

US lawmaker rebukes S Arabia as Congress targets Riyadh over oil cut

US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer rebukes Saudi Arabia as Congress targets Riyadh over oil cut.

US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer rebuked Saudi Arabia. The senior Democratic senator from New York threatened Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh will pay the price for what he called its “deeply cynical action” of supporting a 2 million-barrel cut in oil supplies, which will put more pressure on the American economy. 

“What Saudi Arabia did to help Putin continue to wage his despicable, vicious war against Ukraine will long be remembered by Americans. We are looking at all the legislative tools to best deal with this appalling and deeply cynical action, including the NOPEC bill,” Schumer tweeted on Friday.

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