Saudi Arabia expels Canadian Ambassador over Human Rights Detainees

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

MbS doesn't understand geopolitics. That's why Qatar blew his bluff and that's why Canada will ignore this and have its pension plans snatch up the assets the Saudis are selling.

A highly emotive man can't govern a country. Saudis will learn this the hard way

 

[African Peasant]

MbS doesn't understand geopolitics. That's why Qatar blew his bluff and that's why Canada will ignore this and have its pension plans snatch up the assets the Saudis are selling.

A highly emotive man can't govern a country. Saudis will learn this the hard way

I don't believe that he's acting on emotion.

From his perspective, he got nothing to lose and only things to gain:

1) he's making an example out of Canda. He's basically telling minor western nations to not interfere in Saudi business.

2) He's getting on Trump's good side, whether Trump asked him to do it or not. Canada is looking powerless without the US.

3) He's polishing his image at home and in the Arab world in general. By attacking the super liberal Canada, he's showing conservatives that he's not a liberal slave like some thought when he started his PR move of modernization of the Kingdom.

4) There is nothing to lose for him, since Canada can't do shyt, as long as MBS got Trump and Netanyahu on his side.

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

I don't believe that he's acting on emotion.

From his perspective, he got nothing to lose and only things to gain:

1) he's making an example out of Canda. He's basically telling minor western nations to not interfere in Saudi business.

2) He's getting on Trump's good side, whether Trump asked him to do it or not. Canada is looking powerless without the US.

3) He's polishing his image at home and in the Arab world in general. By attacking the super liberal Canada, he's showing conservatives that he's not a liberal slave like some thought when he started his PR move of modernization of the Kingdom.

4) There is nothing to lose for him, since Canada can't do shyt, as long as MBS got Trump and Netanyahu on his side.

It's hard to make an example of a country if the effect of your actions are negligible on the country's economy and only unite domestic politicians/the populace to dislike Saudi Arabia. All of which are occurring right now.

I've spoken to a few Canadians about this and they're surprised and annoyed, especially at the 9/11 Twitter graphic. And I said earlier, Saudis actions will have a limited effect.

1) Selling Cdn assets - Canada is a great financial investment. It'll be bought up by Canadians or others within two weeks.
2) Taking Saudis out of Canadian hospitals - More freed up beds for Canadians and others
3) Removing kids from Canadian universities - There's millions of Chinese and Africans who would kill to get a spot.
4) Getting the support of Egypt, UAE and the Palestinian Authority - Canada doesn't have a huge trade relationship with any of those countries

 

[African Peasant]

It's hard to make an example of a country if the effect of your actions are negligible on the country's economy and only unite domestic politicians/the populace to dislike Saudi Arabia. All of which are occurring right now.

I've spoken to a few Canadians about this and they're surprised and annoyed, especially at the 9/11 Twitter graphic. And I said earlier, Saudis actions will have a limited effect.

1) Selling Cdn assets - Canada is a great financial investment. It'll be bought up by Canadians or others within two weeks.
2) Taking Saudis out of Canadian hospitals - More freed up beds for Canadians and others
3) Removing kids from Canadian universities - There's millions of Chinese and Africans who would kill to get a spot.
4) Getting the support of Egypt, UAE and the Palestinian Authority - Canada doesn't have a huge trade relationship with any of those countries

SAudi are already dislike. They know it.

The point is not to substantially hurt Canada, but to humiliate them. Canada is looking bad right now on the international scene, especially since no country is taking their side.

This is making talking about SA business too risky for nothing.

Canada gained nothing besides looking annoying.

 

[88m3]

It's hard to make an example of a country if the effect of your actions are negligible on the country's economy and only unite domestic politicians/the populace to dislike Saudi Arabia. All of which are occurring right now.

I've spoken to a few Canadians about this and they're surprised and annoyed, especially at the 9/11 Twitter graphic. And I said earlier, Saudis actions will have a limited effect.

1) Selling Cdn assets - Canada is a great financial investment. It'll be bought up by Canadians or others within two weeks.
2) Taking Saudis out of Canadian hospitals - More freed up beds for Canadians and others
3) Removing kids from Canadian universities - There's millions of Chinese and Africans who would kill to get a spot.
4) Getting the support of Egypt, UAE and the Palestinian Authority - Canada doesn't have a huge trade relationship with any of those countries

I put maple syrup in my ice coffee sometimes

 

[thatrapsfan]

I don't believe that he's acting on emotion.

From his perspective, he got nothing to lose and only things to gain:

1) he's making an example out of Canda. He's basically telling minor western nations to not interfere in Saudi business.

2) He's getting on Trump's good side, whether Trump asked him to do it or not. Canada is looking powerless without the US.

3) He's polishing his image at home and in the Arab world in general. By attacking the super liberal Canada, he's showing conservatives that he's not a liberal slave like some thought when he started his PR move of modernization of the Kingdom.

4) There is nothing to lose for him, since Canada can't do shyt, as long as MBS got Trump and Netanyahu on his side.

I agree with this mostly actually and I think you got most of the political rationale behind it right.


The major risk I see, is related to future foreign investment. Foreign investment in Saudi is already relatively scarce and has shrunk further in recent years. Their unemployment rate keeps growing, theyre dealing with a youth bulge, have a disastrous education system, and badly need to diversify their economy. In order to have any chance at success in this, they will need to up foreign investment, and its hard to see how this helps. The only successful private sector businessmen in the country were already locked up and shaken down over the year (some are still in jail). The Aramco IPO looks like itll never happen. The big name projects like NEOM look like white elephants in the making.


This only adds to the idea its an unpredictable place where your $$ arent safe. People will always take Saudi investment and arms money with open arms, but it needs the investment flows to go both ways for any hope to diversify.

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

I agree with this mostly actually and I think you got most of the political rationale behind it right.


The major risk I see, is related to future foreign investment. Foreign investment in Saudi is already relatively scarce and has shrunk further in recent years. Their unemployment rate keeps growing, theyre dealing with a youth bulge, have a disastrous education system, and badly need to diversify their economy. In order to have any chance at success in this, they will need to up foreign investment, and its hard to see how this helps. The only successful private sector businessmen in the country were already locked up and shaken down over the year (some are still in jail). The Aramco IPO looks like itll never happen. The big name projects like NEOM look like white elephants in the making.


This only adds to the idea its an unpredictable place where your $$ arent safe. People will always take Saudi investment and arms money with open arms, but it needs the investment flows to go both ways for any hope to diversify.

Good analysis on Saudi Arabia's critical issues for the next 10-20 years. MbS is not the answer or the type of leader they need. But I dislike Saudi elites, so whatever their fate may be

 

[85 East]

Wouldn't surprise me to find out Stephen Harper and Trump both had a say in this. This issue will only help the conservatives in the next election. There already running on the anti-immagrant platform...

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

As I predicted, Trudeau won't back down: @African Peasant @AndroidHero
Trudeau says Canada will ‘stand up’ for human rights amid escalating dispute with Saudi Arabia

 

[85 East]

Wouldn't surprise me to find out Stephen Harper and Trump both had a say in this. This issue will only help the conservatives in the next election. There already running on the anti-immagrant platform...

 

[The Odum of Ala Igbo]

Wouldn't surprise me to find out Stephen Harper and Trump both had a say in this. This issue will only help the conservatives in the next election. There already running on the anti-immagrant platform...

I dunno if Harper would betray Canada in such a matter. Especially since he HATES Saudi Arabia and other authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. He hates Iran more.

EDIT: He seemed to like Jordan. Essentially, he's a Neo-Con so who knows what his views on Saudi Arabia...

 

[thatrapsfan]

Wouldn't surprise me to find out Stephen Harper and Trump both had a say in this. This issue will only help the conservatives in the next election. There already running on the anti-immagrant platform...

I think the Saudis would never do this if American Canadian relations were at their regular level ( ie not Trump) but I don’t think this has anything to do with Harper. In fact many old Con ministers advise private sector firms trying to get contracts in Saudi, so itd go against their personal interest to blow this up.

 

[thatrapsfan]

I dunno if Harper would betray Canada in such a matter. Especially since he HATES Saudi Arabia and other authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. He hates Iran more.

EDIT: He seemed to like Jordan. Essentially, he's a Neo-Con so who knows what his views on Saudi Arabia...

They’re very transactional on Saudi. Obviously they have no personal affinity for them but they’ll take their money and are happy with their regional alignment against Iran.

 

[88m3]

They’re very transactional on Saudi. Obviously they have no personal affinity for them but they’ll take their money and are happy with their regional alignment against Iran.

 

[ADevilYouKhow]

Expatriate Workers Are Leaving Saudi Arabia in Droves