Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, May 19
The United States Senate recently passed a unanimous bill allowing victims of 9/11 to sue the Saudi Arabian government for its supposed “involvement” in the attacks, citing the fact that several of the airplane hijackers were Saudi nationals. I find this decision quite odd. First and foremost, Saudi Arabia had nothing to do with the devastating event. Numerous investigations and studies, including those conducted by the Pentagon, concluded that Riyadh did not support, either directly or indirectly, the atrocious attacks on the United States. Moreover, Al-Qa’ida has actually been Saudi Arabia’s sworn enemy for years: militants associated with the organization acted against Saudi targets long before the attacks on the World Trade Center ever took place. No one could possibly imagine that Riyadh supported one of its biggest enemies. And more importantly, perhaps, is the fact that while the Senate casts blame on Riyadh, growing evidence actually suggests that other countries in the region – such as Syria and Iran – have been supporting Al-Qa’ida for years. Documents found in Osama Bin-Laden’s hiding place revealed orders to refrain from attacking Shiites, due to Iran’s steadfast support of Al-Qa’ida. Syria has given shelter to Al-Qa’ida operatives during the American invasion of Iraq. What we are witnessing are attempts to bash and slander Riyadh, while overlooking the gruesome acts committed by Iran. Teheran might have signed the nuclear deal with the United States, but only a fool would think that it changed its olds ways. – Abd al-Rahman al-Rashed