Our Obsession with Iraq Highlights our Blind Spot for Saudi Arabia

All we hear about now is how dangerous ISIS is to the United States and how we must start a new war in Iraq to defeat them.  Let’s compare ISIS, the current Iraqi Government, and Saddam’s Iraqi government to Saudi Arabia.

Which entity is the primary financier of Al Qaeda? Saudi Arabia

“Saudi donors remain the chief financiers of Sunni militant groups like Al Qaeda.” – New York Times

Where did the majority of the 9/11 hijackers come from? Saudi Arabia

“Saudi Arabia acknowledged for the first time that 15 of the Sept. 11 suicide hijackers were Saudi citizens” – USA Today

Which entity broadcasted a telethon to raise $100 million for families of suicide bombers? Saudi Arabia

“the Saudi government sponsored a telethon that collected $100 million to help the bombers’ families” – CBS NEWS

Which entity is being sued by the families of 9/11 victims? Saudi Arabia

“In the Saudi lawsuit, Ms. Premoli was among some 6,700 victims and survivors of the attacks who sought to hold members of the Saudi royal family, Saudi banks and other organizations financially liable for the attacks because of what the plaintiffs charged was the Saudis’ financial support for terrorism.” – New York Times

Against which entity did a U.S. Senator make a sworn statement about its direct link with the attack on 9/11? Saudi Arabia

“‘I am convinced that there was a direct line between at least some of the terrorists who carried out the September 11 attacks and the government of Saudi Arabia,’ former Senator Bob Graham, Democrat of Florida, said in an affidavit filed as part of a lawsuit brought against the Saudi government and dozens of institutions in the country by families of Sept. 11 victims and others. Mr. Graham led a joint 2002 Congressional inquiry into the attacks.” – New York Times

Remember that six companies own 90% of the news we see. Remember that Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News, publicly admitted to using his media empire to push for the Iraq war. 

We can’t let CNNNBCFOX lead us into another unnecessary war in Iraq. If they were serious about informing us about our enemies, they would have constant specials about the country most responsible for 9/11 (Saudi Arabia). Instead the focus is on ISIS which emulates the same brutal practices of African warlords that the 24 hour news media ignores entirely.

Fortunately House members such as Thomas Massie and Walter Jones have been vocal about releasing classified documents that are speculated to shed more light on Saudi Arabia’s involvement.  

Regardless of what is in those 28 pages though, there is clearly a double standard being applied to Saudi Arabia against the rest of the Middle East. I hope our representatives wake up to that double standard before we find ourselves in another war that can and should be avoided.

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