Well I don't understand why you think of it as "anti" anyone. He is just putting his perspectives - right on wrong on what "might" be happening. Infact, I read his articles and I know for a fact that he is very critical of US and West security policies and can be said to be more pro-Russian. Possibly a lingering connection of the pro-Soviet years he has.
But here are a few points in hindsight given that this article was about 2 years old.
(1) He basis most of his assertions on US think tanks without identifying which ones. So there is no way of knowing the information that he believes is accurate is from a good think tank or someone with a tilted agenda.
(2) Post 1960s upto the fall of the USSR, China was also part of the US led alliance against the Soviets. The Saudis, Pakistanis, Chinese alongwith the Israelis and led by the US worked together in Afghanistan to bring down the USSR. This crucial historic fact is not mentioned. Infact, much of Chinese initial success today can be attributed to the US opening up to the Chinese economy as a reward of sorts of going against the USSR. So until the fall of the USSR; Chinese, Pakistanis, Saudis all were on the same side with the US.
(3) China's help in the Pakistani nuke is no secret. China feels that Pakistan is useful pawn in keeping India in check and a cheap way of doing so.
(4) China's provision of CSS missiles is full of controversy with all kinds of speculation. But lets look at why and how the Saudis acquired these. Going by Robert Laceys investigative book "Inside the Kingdom", in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, the Saudis were funding Iraqi weaponry including Chinese weapons that would be brought and transited to Iraq through Saudi territory. The Iranians and Iraqis already had long range missiles while the Saudis had nothing to deter Iran with. They requested the US first to provide short range missiles but when this was rejected (possibly on the Israeli concern) Prince Bandar requested China to provide these.
The main idea being to deter Iran from launching missile attacks against its facilities.
(5) And from this Kapila misses a main factor here - Iran. The Saudis will go nuclear only if Iran goes nuclear. And Iran can go nuclear only if China and Pakistan help it in going nuclear. AQ Khan the Pakistani nuclear scientist is well known in providing nuke tech details to Iranians and others. But sane people in Pakistan would have realised how foolish this is and the wrath from the Saudis when they found that out. Musharraf under his tenure because of this tries his best to shut down the Iranian nuke program. But after Musharraf is gone, will the current govt. under Zardari do the same?
Do read the extent of pressure Musharraf put on Iran from the DAWN report
Musharraf govt pushed Iran to abandon N-weapons programme | Newspaper | DAWN.COM
(6) Given the fact that Saudis will go nuclear only if Iran does, what does this imply for Pakistan? The rational choice would be for Pakistan to continue to be the only nuke country and prevent Iran from acquiring weapons. But if it becomes too assertive or aggressive against Iran, then it can also fuel tensions and destabilize Pakistan in return.
(7)Gulf WarII against Iraq was a wrong choice when the Bush administration should have focused on the Af - Pak region. There was no threat from Iraq. Not only KSA, but even Turkey refused basing rights. EU countries like Germany and other countries like India refused troops and criticized the move. India actually passed a unanimous resolution against the US-led war in Iraq. And this was under the BJP led govt. for those who don't remember.
(8) KSA continues to buy the bulk of its military equipment from the US. The relationship means at least under 15-20 years of strong security partnership. In fact, this is the biggest arms deal in US history or maybe even world history between two countries. This is mainly to protect the GCC countries from Iranian expansionism. Pakistan on the other hand can't take a hostile attitude against Iran because it is a neighbor and can cause problems for it in Afghanistan. Atleast this is the rational option. If Pakistan does join up in confronting Iran - which seems unlikely - it will have to face consequences from it.
Saudi Arms Deal Advances
White House to Notify Congress Soon of $60 Billion Package, Largest Ever for U.S.
(9) And lastly, the Saudis have finally learned the advantages of multi-polar diplomacy. That is have good relations with every major power. So it was no surprise that the next country King Abdulla visited right after his China trip was India where he was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade where he called India his second home.
Saudi King terms India his 'second home' - Express India
In fact, some interesting articles that people can read from the same author about this and how India should balance its relationship with Iran and KSA is here.
INDIA – SAUDI ARABIA: THE STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DELHI DECLARATION (JANUARY 2006)
Saudi Arabia – India Diplomatic Overtures: Perspectives
In other words, KSA is doing what any other country would do if they were smart enough. Never depend on one major power and have good relations with other major powers with which you don't have a direct problem.
