Unrolled thread from @ThomasWictor
17 tweets11 hours ago
701 subscribers
(1) A point about Saudi Arabia that should be emphasized.
(2) Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy.
In other words, the king is the law.
In other words, the king is the law.
(3) There are three armed forces in Saudi Arabia:
The military (Ministry of Defense).
The Internal Security Forces (Ministry of the Interior).
The Saudi Arabian National Guard (The Ministry of the SANG).
The military (Ministry of Defense).
The Internal Security Forces (Ministry of the Interior).
The Saudi Arabian National Guard (The Ministry of the SANG).
(4) The SANG existed to protect the House of Saud from coups.
It was kept separate from the two other armed forces.
It was kept separate from the two other armed forces.
(5) In about 2003, the Saudis integrated all three armed forces, in the sense that they all train together now and share communications systems.
In other words, there could be a coup at any second.
In other words, there could be a coup at any second.
(6) What the royal family decided was that they would essentially throw themselves on the mercy of the armed forces.
This is actually another brilliant move.
This is actually another brilliant move.
(7) The Saudis understand a natural law: The better the soldier, the more humane.
By training their armed forces to such a high level, the Saudis accomplished several things simultaneously.
By training their armed forces to such a high level, the Saudis accomplished several things simultaneously.
(8) They made sure there WOULDN'T be a coup, because a coup can now happen at any time.
The armed forces could step in whenever they want.
It's just like in the US. We could have a coup at any time.
But we won't. In fact our armed forces would unite AGAINST a coup.
The armed forces could step in whenever they want.
It's just like in the US. We could have a coup at any time.
But we won't. In fact our armed forces would unite AGAINST a coup.
(9) But having such well-trained troops means that future Saudi rulers can't backslide.
Humane troops hate oppression.
Humane troops hate oppression.
(10) I predict that Saudi Arabia will become a constitutional monarchy, either formally or in everything but name.
VERY few people can handle absolute power, so the future of the country depends on power sharing.
VERY few people can handle absolute power, so the future of the country depends on power sharing.
(11) The reason Iran and Turkey have had so many problems is that the leaders imposed secularism by force, violently.
It was only a matter of time before the countries reverted.
It was only a matter of time before the countries reverted.
(12) It appears that the Saudis will create a federation, in which the states choose their own religious laws.
The new community NEOM is being built AWAY from Riyadh.
Thus the religious can continue their lives without being forced into anything.
The new community NEOM is being built AWAY from Riyadh.
Thus the religious can continue their lives without being forced into anything.
(13) The only way all of this was able to happen was through the election of an American president who agreed to HELP rather than give orders.
(14) By the time Trump finishes his second term, all the changes in the Middle East will set in stone.
And that means we can't go in and create problems anymore.
And that means we can't go in and create problems anymore.
(15) EVEN TODAY, at this very second, which geopolitical and military "experts" are talking about ARABS?
It's all about what the US has to do.
Garbage. Ridiculous.
It's all about what the US has to do.
Garbage. Ridiculous.
(16) Our role should be to help if asked and to provide momentum by throwing our weight behind various issues.
But that's as far as we should go.
But that's as far as we should go.
(17) The locals know best. They're proving it every day.
And FINALLY we have a president and a cabinet who accept that the locals know best...
And FINALLY we have a president and a cabinet who accept that the locals know best...
