December Follies

The Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Turki al-Faisal, has resigned. He served for 15 months in that role, following his predecessor's 24 years. The embassy said it was 'to spend more time with his family'.

Possible reasons:

1. He'll be the new Saudi foreign minister, his brother who currently occupies that position is said to be ailing.

2. It's a signal from the Saudis that they are displeased with Feckless Leader's 'policies'.

3. He pissed off the Saudis by having his guy (Obaid) say (in a WaPo OpEd) that the Saudis will support the Sunnis in Iraq if the US backs the Shiites.

4. He pissed off the Americans by having his guy (Obaid) say (in a WaPo OpEd) that the Saudi's will support the Sunni's in Iraq if the US backs the Shiites.

Looked at in the context of Cheney's visit last month to Riyadh, I'd say that there are definite bumps in the usually smooth road of American-Saudi relations. But beyond this, we'll just have to wait and see.

Also today, Feckless Leader has postponed his December 18th speech on Iraq that was to have been a distillation of the ISG and all the other reports, studies, round tables and consultations that have been going on. Any connection?