Saudis put their heads up

As the various conflicts in the Middle East continue without seemingly any end in sight, certainly the Australian media doesn't report on what Saudi Arabia's position in all of this is let alone what it might be "doing" in the background, or otherwise.

Hence, this report in the NY Times, from journalists in the region, is more than instructive in revealing what the Saudis are doing - given that events in the area materially effect it both short and long-term.

"With the prospect of three civil wars looming over the Middle East — and Iran poised to gain from them all — Saudi Arabia has abandoned its behind-the-scenes checkbook diplomacy and taken on a central, aggressive role in reshaping the region’s conflicts.

On Tuesday, the kingdom is playing host in Mecca to the leaders of Hamas and Fatah, the two feuding Palestinian factions, in what both sides say could lead to a national unity government and reduced bloodshed. Last fall, senior Saudi officials met secretly with Israeli leaders about how to establish a Palestinian state.

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has also increased its public involvement in Iraq and its support of the Sunni-led government in Lebanon. The process is shaping up as a counteroffensive to efforts by Iran to establish itself as the regional superpower, according to diplomats, analysts and officials here and throughout the region. Some even say that the recent Saudi commitment to temper the price of oil is aimed at undermining Iran’s economy, although officials here deny that."

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