Germany and the West foolishly arm a reckless partner – proxy war with Iran ? US and Israel’s would surley be delighted to have the Saudi’s be the provocateur in their conflict with Iran

[cb editorial note: In a slightly contrary position to the article below, the military build up of Saudi Arabia as a counter force or provocateur to Iran increases Saudi belligerence in the region. Consequently the villages and communities that would engage in local opposition to an ally (al Khalifa) that endorses Saudi Arabia’s side of a more aggressive regional conflict, also become victims to it’s scourge, even though in their opposition they do not necessarily subscribe to Iranian goals or conduct themselves contrary to Western regional ambitions.

As Saudi Arabia becomes more aggressive and militarily powerful it will discern any enmity within it’s lackeys as a single opposition and lash out against it even though this may not be the reality. Saudi Arabia lacks the sophistication and depth of intelligence to understand or discern the difference between local opposition and those who would engage a regional conflict. In short the house of Saud is out of order for such discernment.

The emerging military role for Saudi Arabia is reminiscent of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq as it engaged in adventuresome conflicts with Iran and it’s neighbors amid strong US and European backing – we all know his demise, hung at the hands of his allies surrogates. It seems Kings and Tyrants make some very dangerous friends – so it is with greed and oil.

A giant takes down the forest because it is too uncoordinated to cut down one tree. Foolish are those who would give the giant an axe that is made to take down the forest. The uprising in Bahrain maybe an good example of this phenomena. ]

Article – Germany Arms Saudis Against Iran
By Julio Godoy

BERLIN, Jul 25, 2011 (IPS) – Germany’s delivery of armoured tanks to Saudi Arabia is not aimed at repressing local or regional popular uprisings, but to improve Saudi military capabilities in a likely war against Iran, diplomatic and military experts say.

The German government’s decision to deliver 200 state-of-the-art Leopard 2 armoured tanks to the Saudi monarchy – a deal estimated at 1.8 billion euros – has triggered a wave of criticism by opposition leaders, commentators, the church and human rights groups.

Despite this criticism, the German government has defended the delivery of the tanks to Saudi Arabia, arguing that the Saudi monarchy, albeit a despotic regime, is “a pillar of stability” in the Middle East.

The German government also cites lack of U.S. or Israeli opposition, as justification for the deal with Saudi Arabia.

Contrary to the apprehension expressed by opposition leaders, commentators, and human rights groups, diplomatic and military experts believe that the Saudi regime will not use the German tanks to repress local popular uprisings demanding democratic reforms, but to eventually wage a war against Iran.

“To repress domestic enemies, the Saudis can use better suited equipment, including some 2,000 armoured troops transport vehicles,” said Josef Joffe, publisher of the weekly newspaper ‘Die Zeit’.

Joffe is considered one of the most outspoken defenders among German media of the U.S.-Western European military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). He also has links to the U.S. and to the Israeli governments.

By delivering the Leopard 2 tanks to Saudi Arabia, Joffe added, “Germany, together with the U.S.A. and Israel, is sending a message to the region, specifically to Iran: Here is more [military] deterrence. This argument should not be sneezed at.” …more