npr: by Deborah Amos –
“We saw just a couple of weeks ago, the formation of a new front of Syrian rebels, called the Syrian Islamic Army,” Grause says, “and the Saudis seem to be the driving force behind that.”
The Saudis continue to support the Free Syrian Army, the rebel group that is also backed by Washington.
Over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has been sending unmistakable diplomatic signals that it is upset with the U.S. and its policies toward Syria and Iran.
The Saudis have canceled a speech at the United Nations and rejected a prestigious seat on the Security Council. They have called in European diplomats in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, so the intelligence chief could tell them he was cutting cooperation with the U.S.
The unusually blunt message is primarily about the war in Syria, says Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg, the assistant secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Saudi Arabia, United States