Broad discontent with Saudi ruling family: Analyst
Some US analysts say the new leadership in Saudi Arabia will only “temporary” rule over the country amid “broad discontent” with the royal family in a period of uncertainty.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud died at the age of 90 early on Friday after ruling the Saudi kingdom for nearly a decade. His 79-year-old half brother, Salman, has succeeded the late king.
US officials are worried that King Salman, who is not considered by many as a strong or healthy leader, might not be able to quickly consolidate power.
“The new leadership in Saudi Arabia in my opinion is temporarily, it’s just a placeholder,” said Don DeBar, an activist and radio host in New York.
“He’s (Salman) 79-years-old, he has Alzheimer’s diagnosis, isn’t really a heavy player in the back office,” DeBar told Press TV during a phone interview on Saturday.
“There is broad discontent with the Saud family and the entire structure of the state of Saudi Arabia,” he stated.
Dennis Ross, a long-time Middle East diplomat with close ties to the Saudi royal family, told The Wall Street Journal last week that the power transition might reduce the kingdom’s ability to move decisively on difficult issues.
Ross said the death of King Abdullah, coupled with this week’s collapse of the US-backed government in Yemen, presented a "worst-case scenario" because it would further strengthen Iran’s position as a major player in the region.
“I think you get more cautious decision-making” on Iran and Syria, Ross said.
The oil-rich kingdom has played a major role in supporting extremism in various countries, particularly Syria.
Under King Abdullah’s rule, Saudi Arabia gradually became an incubator for groups promoting extremism and Takfirism. Off-shoots of al-Qaeda also managed to expand their domain of influence in the Middle East and North Africa.
White House officials said President Barack Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to “pay respects” to the kingdom’s newly-appointed ruler following the death of king Abdullah.
AHT/HRJ
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