US to train 35,000 troops to defend Saudi colony

... and there will be times when our short term interests do not align perfectly with our long term vision of the region.

- Barack Obama, May 2011

I didn't write about this when I first saw it because it really is not news. The United States, led by Barack Obama - the black-skinned Cecil Rhodes, is well known to support the Saudi regime because that regime, along with other colonies in Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Kuwait and others is necessary to ensure that Zionism does not fall the way Apartheid did.

But since Wednesdays is now "Saudi" Arabia day here at Middle East Reality, I might as well put this here in case I want to look for it later.

Obama admin quietly expanding defense ties with Saudis

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite their deepening political divide, the United States and Saudi Arabia are quietly expanding defense ties on a vast scale, led by a little-known project to develop an elite force to protect the kingdom's oil riches and future nuclear sites.

The U.S. also is in discussions with Saudi Arabia to create an air and missile defense system with far greater capability against the regional rival the Saudis fear most, Iran. And it is with Iran mainly in mind that the Saudis are pressing ahead with a historic $60 billion arms deal that will provide dozens of new U.S.-built F-15 combat aircraft likely to ensure Saudi air superiority over Iran for years.

Together these moves amount to a historic expansion of a 66-year-old relationship that is built on America's oil appetite, sustained by Saudi reliance on U.S. military reach and deepened by a shared worry about the threat of al-Qaida and the ambitions of Iran.

The quiet U.S. moves in Saudi Arabia form part of the backdrop to President Barack Obama's speech Thursday, which is intended to put his imprint on the enormous changes sweeping across the greater Middle East.

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The special security force is expected to grow to at least 35,000 members, trained and equipped by U.S. personnel as part of a multiagency effort that includes staff from the Justice Department, Energy Department and Pentagon. It is overseen by the U.S. Central Command.