The beheading of US hostage Paul Johnson highlights once again the tense relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia ... Neither Bush nor Cheney mentioned Saudi Arabia. Powell thanked Riyadh for its efforts to find Johnson. Kerry had stern words for the Saudis. "It is essential that we have the full cooperation of the Saudi government in tracking down these terrorists and destroying Al Qaeda. This must be our nations highest priority," Kerry said in a statement. Analysts believe that Johnson's death will tighten relations between Washington and Riyadh. They say the relations will get stronger because now they are facing a common threat. So, let me get this straight. A Pakistani newspaper publishes an article about al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia written by a journalist for Agence French Presse who quotes an expert from the Brookings Institution. How's that for globalization? |