Chenelle Agnew Class: Global History

October 6, 2012 Period: 1

By ROBERT F. WORTH Published: October 6, 2012

Citing U.S. Fears, Arab Allies Limit Syrian Rebel Aid

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia For months, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been funneling money and small arms to Syrias rebels but have refused to provide heavier weapons, like shoulderfired missiles, that could allow opposition fighters to bring down government aircraft, take out armored vehicles and turn the wars tide. While they have publicly called for arming the rebels, they have held back, officials in both countries said, in part because they have been discouraged by the United States, which fears the heavier weapons could end up in the hands of terrorists. As a result, the rebels have just enough weapons to maintain a stalemate, the war grinds on and more jihadist militants join the fray every month. You can give the rebels AKs, but you cant stop the Syrian regimes military with AKs, said Khalid al-Attiyah, a state minister for foreign affairs in Qatar. Providing the rebels with heavier weapons has to happen, he added. But first we need the backing of the United States, and preferably the U.N. Saudi officials here said the United States was not barring them from providing shoulderfired missiles, but warning about the risks. The Saudis and Qataris said they hoped to convince their allies that those risks could be overcome. We are looking at ways to put in place practices to prevent this type of weapon from falling into the wrong hands, one Arab official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with diplomatic protocol. American support for such weapons transfers is unlikely to materialize any time soon. The Obama administration has made clear that it has no desire to deepen its efforts, mostly providing logistical support for the rebels.

Administration officials would not comment on what they are telling their Persian Gulf allies about arming the rebels. We are doing what we feel is appropriate to help the unarmed opposition to be more effective and working closely with the opposition to prepare for a transition, the State Department said in response to a question on the subject.

Summary:
This article is mainly about the physical dialogue between Syria and Saudi Arabia. This conflict has aroused because of Saudi Arabias refusal of giving Syria heavy weapons. Arabias fear is that if they give Syria heavy weapons then Syria may turn the tables and retaliate against them with the weapons that were given to them. They are also discouraged because they got the idea that the weapons may end up in the hands of terrorists. Saudi Arabia is trying to keep their government and political systems under ropes until they figure out a brighter solution. This article demonstrates the political system, power and government in Syria. It shows the huge epidemic they are going through at the moment and the risk that they will possibly have to take. It relates to politics in the sense of its feud between Syria and Saudi Arabia. It relates to power when they talk about the opponents (Syria) potentially bringing down the government. And lastly it follows up on government issues because of the decisions that have to be made by them and the trouble that can be heading their way if its not the right decision made. The overall point that the author is trying to make is that the needs of other places cannot always be your lands priority. Then when they do get involved you are at risk of getting retaliated against. For example is Saudi Arabia gives Syria the heavy weapons then they may have their government easily slipped from underneath them. Potentially, in the future Saudi Arabia may be pulled into an unintended war over resources. For now Saudi Arabia just needs to work closely to their opponents to maintain good relationship.