Saudi Arabia: seeking security (catch all)

[davidbfpo]

I missed this BBC News report in August 2017, it is fascinating reading and proves the KSA probably thought "We've done thsi before, who will care this time?". It opens with:

Between 2015 and 2017, three Saudi princes living in Europe disappeared. All were critical of the Saudi government - and there is evidence that all were abducted and flown back to Saudi Arabia… where nothing further has been heard from them.

There is an update:

Update, October 2018: Two months after this story was published the former head of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki al-Fasial, confirmed that all three missing princes were back in Saudi Arabia. Prince Khaled bin Farhan, meanwhile, says he has heard from sources inside the country that Prince Turki bin Bandar and Saud bin Saif al-Nasr have both been executed. This could not be independently confirmed.

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-40926963

[davidbfpo]

Just what difference this announcement will make is unclear and citing Secretary Mattis:

we support the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after consultations with the U.S. Government, to use the Coalition's own military capabilities to conduct inflight refueling in support of its operations in Yemen.

Then KSA:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the member countries of the Coalition to Support legitimacy in Yemen, continually pursue improvements to military professionalism and self-sufficiency.....Recently the Kingdom and the Coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the Coalition has requested cessation of inflight refueling support for it's operations in Yemen.

Link:https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...fueling-982924

Since few countries sell inflight refueling planes and systems I assume KSA has purchased what is needed. The 2017 'Military Balance' shows KSA has fifteen tankers, a mix of KC-130 and A330; whilst UAE has three A330.

[AdamG]

Reading Music

Mujtahid, a respected Saudi social media voice, reported on the Al-Khaleej Online newspaper earlier this week that Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman had reshuffled military personnel and assets inside the kingdom in response to rumors that some members of the royal family may have been planning a coup against him.

https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Sa...-Threat-573214

[davidbfpo]

A commentary by Hamid Hussain, a regular contributor:

Overview of challenges faced by Saudi Arabia and role of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS). His meteoric rise from obscurity in an interesting phenomenon.

Due to size it is on the attachment.