Saudi-led Islamic military alliance: counterterrorism or counter Iran?

[AmirPatriot]

It's a wonderful thing, bro. Happy, happy, happy.

If only.

You really believe that? Yemen is almost completely in Saudi control and the Houthis are at each other's throats and the noose is tightening big time. That's why we're seeing those plastic missiles being fired because they're in desperation mode. The success of Houthi actions is far and few these days so what does that tell you? And the in-fighting is only a result that it's coming to an end and the Arab coalition is working.

Whether Saudi is winning or not, Saudi needs to legitimise its position in Yemen in the face of Iranian and European criticism. Getting an international coalition is a tried and tested way to legitimise military action. Just ask the Americans in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea etc.

Please don't come back and say "it is already legitimate" etc. The point is that it is criticised by Iran and Europe.

And BTW, do you realize that what you say makes all these other countries pawns to Saudiya?

Not at all. Certainly the smaller/poorer countries like Sudan or Djibouti. But the larger/richer countries like Egypt, Pakistan etc. already have good relations with Saudi. Since the pact is not specifically labelled as anti-Iran, many countries with even cordial relations with Iran (Pakistan etc.) could join. They have nothing to lose.

That group also needs reforming from this alliance.

So, what, Hezbollah is a terrorist group now? This is exactly why Iran didn't join this alliance.

What it should've done is join and if Saudiya and others called Iran out, Iran could leverage her wishes against those.

Iran believes this organisation was created specifically to fight Iranian interests. It would be a constant, uphill battle.

You know what they've defeated? They've defeated something called ISIS, but they haven't defeated terrorism by any stretch of the imagination. What they defeated is a visible group, an entire coakroachial, cretenical, verminial entity that had a presence and a location and could be found and targeted. The real Terrorism -- although very much affiliated with cretanical ISIS -- is a whole other ball game. Just come to northern Sinai and see for yourself. Or how about being in the Iranian Parliament on June 7th of this year. Or the VBIEDs or suicide bombers in the souks of Iraq or Pakistan or even Tunisia. That is the dark element of terrorism that is hidden and very difficult to eradicate and BTW, unfortunately if we don't band together and cure this cancer, it will morph into something much more difficult than ISIS. This is the major goal of this alliance, Granted it's the primary goal, but nonetheless, one of the main goals. Getting a grip on the radical messages from twisted clerics preaching death and destruction is another. Neutralizing the discord between us Muslims is another huge element. Showing what Islam is really about instead of what these twisted cockroaches are doing, is also a major part of what this alliance is about.

I thought this is a military alliance? You are talking about ideology. You can't bomb an ideology. In that regard, I think there is some introspection required on the part of the leader of this alliance. The ideological source of ISIS, the Taliban, Al Qaeda etc. isn't in Iran.

How could these countries not be part of this?! Shame on them! Pure and simple. Algeria? Iraq? Syria? Iran? Absolutely SHAMEFUL! What these countries have done is they've sown seeds of divisiveness.

You are still operating on the basis of names and publicity. Publicity means absolutely nothing, my friend. Iran didn't join the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition? Clearly Iran is pro-terrorism, right?? Right????

Don't think I'm saying this just because I oppose Saudi. I apply the same logic to Iran. Iran says calls martyrs in Syria and Iraq "defenders of the holy shrines". Is that really the main reason Iran is fighting in Syria and Iraq? Of course not. While it may partly be the reason (Iran obviously doesn't want major sites like Karbala to fall to ISIS), it is largely for recruitment purposes. Otherwise, the main purpose of Iran fighting in Iraq and Syria is to prevent its allies to be overrun by ISIS and various other groups in the region, which would endanger Iran's western flank and undermine our support to Hezbollah.

How about Hezbollah itself? Hezbollah was created to defend Lebanon from the Zionist backed SLA way back in the Lebanese civil war. Does Iran support it because of that? No, Iran supports Hezbollah because it is a strong military force that opposes Israel and could pose as a deterrent for Israeli aggression on Iran itself. Our interests are not exactly the same, but they align (very nicely).

Look through the publicity. It means nothing, on either side.

Lastly, I don't know about Algeria, but I'd add that Saudi frequently calls Hezbollah, the Iraqi and Syrian PMUs, and Iran's IRGC & Quds Force, terrorist organisations. Why would any of these countries join this "counter terrorism" alliance, when their allies and in some cases militaries are labelled terrorists? There is no logic to this. You don't join an alliance that wants to bomb you.

Would Egypt join an Iranian counter terrorism alliance that designates the Egyptian army as a terrorist organisation?

So you're saying Saudiya fooled all these other countries including Turkey, Tunisia, and Pakistan while at the same time that Pakistan is being fooled into this alliance, it allowed one of its most coveted generals to lead it as it's getting duped and fooled by Saudiya?

No, and I've said this several times, that because the organisation is not labelled as specifically anti-Iran, the major countries with cordial relations with Iran can join it without risking their relations with Iran. Nothing to lose, "unity, ummah, holding hands" political points to gain.

So basically what you're saying is Iran was in fact invited.

No. Raheel Sharif agreed to head the organisation on the condition that Iran would be invited. Saudi giving such an assurance had no risk, since the alliance predates Sharif's appointment, and before that Iran had already denounced the alliance. If a country doesn't want to join an alliance, why invite it, right? Iran said it has not received any invitation anyway. Iran doesn't even have an embassy with Saudi, and you expected us to join their military alliance?

And BTW, it was invited from the start as this was a open alliance for ALL Muslim countries.

Man, some countries like Pakistan were included in the list before they even knew about it. If Saudi really wanted Iran on the list, we would be, whether we wanted or not

 

[925boy]

Unfounded bullshit cannot be taken seriously. Find prove of KSA apparently supporting AQAP or quit spreading bullshit on this already bullshit infested forum.

KSA is the country in the world alongside the US that has done the most to fight AQAP. That's a fact. Bullshit on the other hand is not.

I Can agree with you that Saudis dont support aqap but i cant say they dont support isis or jahbat al nusramin sria..

 

[EmeraldRabbit]

Its an alliance against whatever threatens them. Shia's or Sunnis. Its not an "Islamic" alliance pretty much in a way the Saudi King is not the "guardian of the holy mosques".

Anything to protect their illegitimate power grab of the Arabian gulf so they dont loose those pretty palaces and golden thrones.

 

[Gomig-21]

Whether Saudi is winning or not, Saudi needs to legitimise its position in Yemen in the face of Iranian and European criticism. Getting an international coalition is a tried and tested way to legitimise military action. Just ask the Americans in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea etc.

That's nothing but speculation, Amir. Saudiya doesn't need any legitimizing of its actions in Yemen to anyone when the security of its southern border, naval and shipping routes and potential, internal stability are in danger by a bordering, faction-filled, warlord-driven and chaotic country. Any nation would have the right to defend itself from potential harm to it's people and sovereign territory and since victory is close enough, why would Saudiya suddenly need to legitimize its actions in Yemen?

This is also the same thing happening in this thread; deflection, from the actual purpose of this alliance and that is to fight the verminial cretinism that is completely destroying our region, let alone what it has cast on our great religion. This seems to be disregarded on purpose for some reason, and should be the #1 priority for every Muslim country to consider fighting and fighting with extreme prejudice and restoring the true image of Islam. The fact that us Muslims are not completely united is quite telling of our sad state. Although, this is about as close as it's gotten since the early decades after the Prophet's (SAWS) death. Baby steps, I suppose.

Since the pact is not specifically labelled as anti-Iran, many countries with even cordial relations with Iran (Pakistan etc.) could join. They have nothing to lose.

Iran is not the focal point of this alliance, my good friend. The sooner all of you realize that, the more chances it will have to succeed.

So, what, Hezbollah is a terrorist group now? This is exactly why Iran didn't join this alliance.

Never said that. I said the group would need reforming and this is a fact. If Hezbollah is perceived as a terrorist group and labeled as such by much of the international community, then why not make an attempt to clear that image? If the group was created to defend Lebanon from the Zionist, wouldn't this be the best opportunity to engage it into legitimacy? Why hide from that instead of confronting it head on?

Iran believes this organisation was created specifically to fight Iranian interests. It would be a constant, uphill battle.

Iran is not the focal point. All that stuff is BS, deflection, bamboozling etc., TBH.

I thought this is a military alliance? You are talking about ideology. You can't bomb an ideology. In that regard, I think there is some introspection required on the part of the leader of this alliance. The ideological source of ISIS, the Taliban, Al Qaeda etc. isn't in Iran.

This is the big problem. Besides the feeble attempt to make this alliance's purpose as an anti-Iranian consortium, people also think the main purpose of this alliance is military, or equate it completely to NATO. While it shares some ideas with NATO, it is quite specifically different and has a very unique, Islamic purpose. It's amazing how this blatantly obvious point keeps being dismissed as either non-existent or at the most, irrelevant.

Maybe if people had paid attention and read the article that @Saif al-Arab posted earlier in this thread where general Sharif Raheel outlines the 4 points of the alliance, there would be a much better understanding of it. Here, let's re-outline them so hopefully the readers can see what this is all about and why it's a shameful thing that certain Muslim countries didn't join.

1) IMCTC will develop, produce and publish factual media content for dialogue to correct perceptions and discredit radical and extremist narratives. Effort will be made to preserve and promote Islam’s universal message of moderation, tolerance and compassion, by creating intellectual, psychological and social impact to counter the perverted radical views to preserve and promote Islam’s universal message of moderation, tolerance and compassion, by creating intellectual, psychological and social impact to counter the perverted radical views.

2) IMCTC will endeavor to dry up all types of financial support to terrorist organizations. Track the resources of these terrorist organizations and seize or freeze them.

3) IMCTC will create a state-of-the-art intelligence and information-sharing platform to counter terrorist networks their facilitators, abettors, sympathizers and financiers. After correlating and incisive analysis of critical information, actionable intelligence will be put in place. Broker a deal with social media companies in order to remove terrorist and extremist content.

4) Conduct joint exercise based on near real-time scenarios demanding quick response and promoting a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility to fight terrorism to improve.

The military part of this alliance is only a small portion of this thing and is mostly limited to joint exercises. I think there is a huge misconception about this alliance that many military fanboys think this is first and foremost. That it's all about some type of military grouping that will have divisions, battalions, frigates, fighter jets and a complete, joint army from all these countries that will go around to Syria, Egypt, Yemen with boots on the ground and kick some *** lol. It's nothing of the sort, at least at the moment.

You are still operating on the basis of names and publicity. Publicity means absolutely nothing, my friend. Iran didn't join the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition? Clearly Iran is pro-terrorism, right?? Right????

Shame on you for thinking I would be so simple-minded.

Lastly, I don't know about Algeria, but I'd add that Saudi frequently calls Hezbollah, the Iraqi and Syrian PMUs, and Iran's IRGC & Quds Force, terrorist organisations. Why would any of these countries join this "counter terrorism" alliance, when their allies and in some cases militaries are labelled terrorists? There is no logic to this. You don't join an alliance that wants to bomb you.

Would Egypt join an Iranian counter terrorism alliance that designates the Egyptian army as a terrorist organisation?

Come one, Amir, stop with the twisting of what this alliance is about. It's not about Iran.

No. Raheel Sharif agreed to head the organisation on the condition that Iran would be invited. Saudi giving such an assurance had no risk, since the alliance predates Sharif's appointment, and before that Iran had already denounced the alliance. If a country doesn't want to join an alliance, why invite it, right? Iran said it has not received any invitation anyway. Iran doesn't even have an embassy with Saudi, and you expected us to join their military alliance?

When, how and why Iran was invited is moot at this point. Let's be real, Iran should be part of this -- let alone ALGERIA -- and the fact that it isn't doesn't bode well for it, nor the other countries either. So it makes it easy to twist the alliance into some anti-Iranian scheme, promoted by the diabolical and powerful Saudi Arabian leadership. Nothing further from the truth.

It's about destroying our common enemy, which is known as the Blattodea Periplanita, otherwise known as Verminious Cretinicious, or just simply cockroaches.

 

[AmirPatriot]

That's nothing but speculation, Amir. Saudiya doesn't need any legitimizing of its actions in Yemen to anyone when the security of its southern border, naval and shipping routes and potential, internal stability are in danger by a bordering, faction-filled, warlord-driven and chaotic country. Any nation would have the right to defend itself from potential harm to it's people and sovereign territory and since victory is close enough, why would Saudiya suddenly need to legitimize its actions in Yemen?

They seem to be talking a lot about legitimacy.

https://twitter.com/x/status/936769550464507904

I've already said... whether you think they are legitimate or not, European countries are under pressure to stop arms sales. In Europe, the Saudi intervention isn't in the headlines because it serves Saudi interests, it's in the headlines because of the civilian casualties, because of the desperate humanitarian situation. I repeat - whether you think this view is right or wrong, it is the view they hold. Trust me, I live in Europe, I know what the media is saying. Have a quick look at the replies to that tweet and you'll see what I mean.

Iran is not the focal point of this alliance, my good friend.

*doubftul facial expression*

then why not make an attempt to clear that image?

Hah. Try to change the opinion of Saudi and its allies, Europe, and America? Many of these countries don't care if it is or isn't a terrorist organisation, they sanction it because they are against Iran. A PR campaign isn't going to change national interests.

Maybe if people had paid attention and read the article that @Saif al-Arab

I generally don't read links in his posts.

Shame on you for thinking I would be so simple-minded.

Not really, I'm just tired of talking about things at face value.

Come one, Amir, stop with the twisting of what this alliance is about. It's not about Iran.

OK, let us assume it is not about Iran. It's about terrorism, right?

Saudi FM: Iran 'number one state sponsor of terrorism'

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/saudi-fm-seeks-pressure-iran-hezbollah-171109193012811.html

Do you not see the problem here? How much more do I have to say it? Saudi regularly calls Iran a sponsor of terror and the groups it supports terrorists. On what universe will this alliance not be hostile to Iran?

 

[Saif al-Arab]

That's nothing but speculation, Amir. Saudiya doesn't need any legitimizing of its actions in Yemen to anyone when the security of its southern border, naval and shipping routes and potential, internal stability are in danger by a bordering, faction-filled, warlord-driven and chaotic country. Any nation would have the right to defend itself from potential harm to it's people and sovereign territory and since victory is close enough, why would Saudiya suddenly need to legitimize its actions in Yemen?

This is also the same thing happening in this thread; deflection, from the actual purpose of this alliance and that is to fight the verminial cretinism that is completely destroying our region, let alone what it has cast on our great religion. This seems to be disregarded on purpose for some reason, and should be the #1 priority for every Muslim country to consider fighting and fighting with extreme prejudice and restoring the true image of Islam. The fact that us Muslims are not completely united is quite telling of our sad state. Although, this is about as close as it's gotten since the early decades after the Prophet's (SAWS) death. Baby steps, I suppose.



Iran is not the focal point of this alliance, my good friend. The sooner all of you realize that, the more chances it will have to succeed.



Never said that. I said the group would need reforming and this is a fact. If Hezbollah is perceived as a terrorist group and labeled as such by much of the international community, then why not make an attempt to clear that image? If the group was created to defend Lebanon from the Zionist, wouldn't this be the best opportunity to engage it into legitimacy? Why hide from that instead of confronting it head on?



Iran is not the focal point. All that stuff is BS, deflection, bamboozling etc., TBH.



This is the big problem. Besides the feeble attempt to make this alliance's purpose as an anti-Iranian consortium, people also think the main purpose of this alliance is military, or equate it completely to NATO. While it shares some ideas with NATO, it is quite specifically different and has a very unique, Islamic purpose. It's amazing how this blatantly obvious point keeps being dismissed as either non-existent or at the most, irrelevant.

Maybe if people had paid attention and read the article that @Saif al-Arab posted earlier in this thread where general Sharif Raheel outlines the 4 points of the alliance, there would be a much better understanding of it. Here, let's re-outline them so hopefully the readers can see what this is all about and why it's a shameful thing that certain Muslim countries didn't join.

1) IMCTC will develop, produce and publish factual media content for dialogue to correct perceptions and discredit radical and extremist narratives. Effort will be made to preserve and promote Islam’s universal message of moderation, tolerance and compassion, by creating intellectual, psychological and social impact to counter the perverted radical views to preserve and promote Islam’s universal message of moderation, tolerance and compassion, by creating intellectual, psychological and social impact to counter the perverted radical views.

2) IMCTC will endeavor to dry up all types of financial support to terrorist organizations. Track the resources of these terrorist organizations and seize or freeze them.

3) IMCTC will create a state-of-the-art intelligence and information-sharing platform to counter terrorist networks their facilitators, abettors, sympathizers and financiers. After correlating and incisive analysis of critical information, actionable intelligence will be put in place. Broker a deal with social media companies in order to remove terrorist and extremist content.

4) Conduct joint exercise based on near real-time scenarios demanding quick response and promoting a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility to fight terrorism to improve.

The military part of this alliance is only a small portion of this thing and is mostly limited to joint exercises. I think there is a huge misconception about this alliance that many military fanboys think this is first and foremost. That it's all about some type of military grouping that will have divisions, battalions, frigates, fighter jets and a complete, joint army from all these countries that will go around to Syria, Egypt, Yemen with boots on the ground and kick some *** lol. It's nothing of the sort, at least at the moment.



Shame on you for thinking I would be so simple-minded.



Come one, Amir, stop with the twisting of what this alliance is about. It's not about Iran.



When, how and why Iran was invited is moot at this point. Let's be real, Iran should be part of this -- let alone ALGERIA -- and the fact that it isn't doesn't bode well for it, nor the other countries either. So it makes it easy to twist the alliance into some anti-Iranian scheme, promoted by the diabolical and powerful Saudi Arabian leadership. Nothing further from the truth.

It's about destroying our common enemy, which is known as the Blattodea Periplanita, otherwise known as Verminious Cretinicious, or just simply cockroaches.

Brother, why are you wasting your time on a Mullah terror regime supporter? It's a hostile entity that should come nowhere close to the Islamic Military Alliance unless they completely change their behavior in the region. It's the foremost terrorist sponsor in the region and the biggest reason for instability in the region ever since 1979. Wherever their presence is felt failure, instability and terrorism follows with no exception.

This terrorist regime just launched (failed spectacularly though) a so-called "Iranian made" (in reality a modified USSR missile) which aim was the Barakah nuclear power plant.

They have basically declared a war on the GCC and this will have grave consequences and it will be replied in kind. The entire region is mobilizing against them, included the US and much of the West, not to mention Israel. The Arab League recently declared one of their lapdogs (Hezbollah) to be a terrorist group.

It's high time to take the gloves off. A sufficient retaliation will have the backing of everyone expect for their terrorist proxies in the region who pose no threats at the end of the day.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

I Can agree with you that Saudis dont support aqap but i cant say they dont support isis or jahbat al nusramin sria..

Sure, expect for there being zero proof and such baseless accusations having no ground in the real world. I think that the world powers and allies of KSA would have called it out if that was the case. KSA has had no dealings with those terrorists however I can't say the same about every regional country. To start with the Al-Assad regime's dealings with those terrorists have been proven as well as Erdogan's regime and his import of oil and turning a blind eye to Daesh members entering Syria from Turkey (main route of entry for years).

Rather than posting nonsense I would suggest that an African-American like you, should be vary of what he posts as obvious support for a terrorist regime (Mullah's) and an enemy state of the US, is not exactly the wisest thing to do. Less so when Trump is around and the direction things are going for the terrorist Mullah's.

 

[AmirPatriot]

Brother, why are you wasting your time on a Mullah terror regime supporter?

Shh Hasani. Can't you see we are having a civil discussion? Since you obviously don't understand such a concept, I'd advise you not to butt in.

 

[Gomig-21]

I generally don't read links in his posts.

Well there you go, then. It's much easier to avoid reality and take fear and paranoia and introduce them instead, along with conjecture. That's what all the members who think this alliance is all about being anti Iran are doing. They're not looking at the clear facts. I highlighted the 4 points of the purpose of this alliance and people are still ignoring them and thinking it's all about being anti Iran. You know what that's called, right? Cognitive bias? Willful ignorance?

OK, let us assume it is not about Iran. It's about terrorism, right?

Saudi FM: Iran 'number one state sponsor of terrorism'

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/saudi-fm-seeks-pressure-iran-hezbollah-171109193012811.html

Do you not see the problem here? How much more do I have to say it? Saudi regularly calls Iran a sponsor of terror and the groups it supports terrorists. On what universe will this alliance not be hostile to Iran?

What's the problem? Didn't the US and Israel scream bloody murder terrorism on Iran for over 15 years and then suddenly Iran is sitting at the desk signing the JCPOA with it and everyone is happy? Look at the great position it's in now because of that! Why not do the same here? Confront the problem head-on. Join the alliance and prove you're not a sponsor of terrorism. It doesn't get any clearer or easier than that, Amir. But the fact that it's chosen to stay out, can only mean one thing, which is a shame, shame shaaaaame.

Us Muslims are always accusing each other of this, that and the other thing and we curse each other and call each other names and make false threats and the next thing you know we're sitting in a tent with the camels outside eating kufta w'roz, drinking shay and ahwa and smoking shisha talking about football. We need to unite and everyone has (41 countries!!!! Everyone reading this pay attention to this little phrase and see how glaringly obvious the situation is) except Algeria, Iran and its proxies. Wut up wit dat?

Brother, why are you wasting your time on a Mullah terror regime supporter?

Just having a good discussion, brother. And TBH, my beef from the start was primarily with Algeria not joining. That was the real issue (if you remember) because as you know, our friend @Ceylal (who unfortunately for us has been permanently banned) did nothing on this forum except attack Egypt & Egyptians and call us traitors and all that crap that he spewed, so this was a perfect opportunity to poke him in his belly fat with his own stick. Why is Algeria being a traitor here? Too bad he's not here so we can really stick it to him! Give him a taste of his own medicine.

And hatred from others too. This generation has really changed in just 10 years. There used to be a lot more respect for other nationalities -- even in disagreement -- but now, with this new Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/#@/App generation, things have gotten a lot nastier. And it's not just Ceylal (but he was a superb exception to the rule since his obsession with Egypt and Egyptians was beyond abnormal) but it's others too. We're here to learn and educate at the same time, bruh.

 

[AmirPatriot]

Well there you go, then. It's much easier to avoid reality and take fear and paranoia and introduce them instead, along with conjecture. That's what all the members who think this alliance is all about being anti Iran are doing. They're not looking at the clear facts. I highlighted the 4 points of the purpose of this alliance and people are still ignoring them and thinking it's all about being anti Iran. You know what that's called, right? Cognitive bias? Willful ignorance?

Not at all. I just prefer to absorb the cold, hard facts (not the PR) and form my own opinion, rather than absorb the opinion that forms the facts. In general, I don't judge what any country or organisation is doing by what it says it is doing, I observe what it is doing with my own mind. That's why I disagree with you when you it is an anti-terrorism alliance - it certainly says it is, but I don't have to believe that just because it says it. In fact, I don't have to believe anything they say. Hasani here isn't exactly a source of unbiased information. Maybe I could refute his biased information if he presented it a respectful way. But he doesn't, so I don't waste my time.

Maybe you could say I am a cynic. Maybe. At the very least, with politics.

Didn't the US and Israel scream bloody murder terrorism on Iran for over 15 years and then suddenly Iran is sitting at the desk signing the JCPOA with it and everyone is happy?

1. The JCPOA was about the nuclear issue, not their allegations of terrorism. In fact, the negotiators were specifically careful to avoid other areas of contention.

2. The JCPOA was a negotiation. Iran can't go to Saudi and say "ok let's make a deal, Hezbollah aren't terrorists, but Houthis are... deal?". It is a self-defeating concept.

3. The JCPOA is based on a principle of verification, not trust or good faith. The whole reason these negotiations came about is mistrust. Iran didn't join the P5+1, it negotiated by distinctly opposing their allegations, from its own side. Iran vs US, UK, China, Russia, France, Germany. Not Iran, US, UK, China, Russia, France, Germany all working together to create a happy world. Likewise, if Iran is to have a dialogue with the Saudis (like our FM has said we are open to), we aren't going to go on to their side. It would be Iran on its own side. Iran vs the 41 countries. Albeit, in dialogue.

The JCPOA was a bad example

Join the alliance and prove you're not a sponsor of terrorism.

Joining the alliance won't prove that we aren't a sponsor of terrorism. This alliance isn't about countries joining to argue their case... it isn't a forum or a negotiation. It is an alliance. You expect countries in an alliance to agree with each other. And obviously Iran doesn't agree that it is a state sponsor of terrorism.

Do you expect Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two main powers in the region, to be allied in any way? Iran already has its own informal anti-terrorism alliance with Iraq, Syria, and Russia. Why doesn't Saudi Arabia join?

with the camels outside eating kufta w'roz, drinking shay and ahwa and smoking shisha

wut

talking about football

Better.

I'm jealous of your World Cup group.