I'm rather surprised that this story isn't getting more press:

Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the dean of Washington's diplomatic corps and confidant of presidents both Republican and Democratic over the past 22 years, has resigned and will be replaced by the former head of Saudi Arabia's intelligence service...

In a reflection of his influence, officials in the first Bush administration referred to him as "Top Gun." He had such direct access to presidents and Cabinet members that he could show up at their offices unscheduled and gain entry. He once arrived at the State Department with 10 bags of McDonalds hamburgers for a 10 p.m. strategy session -- when top officials had no idea he was coming and were discussing an initiative that was still secret.

Bandar was not the shadowy manipulator Michael Moore made him out to be in Farenheit 9/11, but he has spent the last twenty-two years become the epitome of a Washington power player. He guided Libya and the U.S. into a relationship neither one really wanted, and it's an open secret he's been one of America's most used conduits for getting messages to Arab leaders, from Assad to Arafat. He's one of the biggest characters in the city.

So why leave?

Fears of instability in a country that has become a pillar of U.S. policy and a vital energy source.

Saudi Arabia also faces political challenges, with King Fahd incapacitated by a stroke and with many senior princes aging. Fahd was hospitalized recently amid signs that the royal family is preparing for a transition to Crown Prince Abdullah, the de facto ruler. Bandar's father, the defense minister, is the leading candidate to become crown prince, although he is recovering from stomach cancer, U.S. officials say.

I'm NOT surprised this story isnt getting more coverage. "Bandi" has always preferred flying under the radar. The way the Saudis have led presidents around by the nose is a story the US media doesn't know how to cover. The Arabs are better than Americans at diplomacy. The US media doesn't know how to cover a story in which Americans aren't winning (thus little coverage of soccer and poor coverage of Vietnam from 64-68 [Tonkin to Tet]). Sometimes we have enough raw power to beat Arabs at diplomacy, whether negogiations or war. That may be the result in the Iraqi War, but I wouldn't bet on it. This is an important and interesting topic...Props to you for noticing, GUY

Posted by  Anonymous @ 6:58 PM

 

Remember your post about the night you met John Ashcroft? In Hunter Thompson's "Kingdom of Fear," he has a similar story about his encounter with Clarence Thomas. It is called "Fear and Loathing in Elko." Well, it IS a bit more bizarre than yours, GUY

Posted by  Anonymous @ 1:06 PM

 

i'm SO pleased you quoted Bowie, and minimalist Berlin period Bowie at that.

...I know, hardly scintilating political commentary but..... :)

Posted by  Anonymous @ 11:55 PM

 

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