US and Saudi relations explained by a general

General Micheal Flynn and the neocon Michael Ledeen are co-authors of a book on the war on Islamic terrorism. One must aim for the heart.

A new book is causing a stir among observers of international politics in the US. It is a practical book providing both food for thought and pragmatic solutions for a problem that is afflicting the US and the entire world: Islamic terrorism. Written by General Michael T. Flynn, former director of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) under President Obama, with Michael Ledeen, the book is titled The Field of Fight: How We Can Win the Global War Against Radical Islam and
Its Allies. Among other things, it touches on one of the more controversial aspects of recent US history: the relationship with Saudi Arabia. The difficulties in writing about, discussing, commenting on or even mentioning the relationship between Washington and Riyadh are now clear to everyone.

Some identify Salman bin Abdulaziz’s kingdom as the prime suspect behind the financing of Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda. Others consider this claim to be pure nonsense. The
crux of the debate, however, are both huge oil reserves and terrorist attacks (which have certainly not spared the Middle East). General Flynn tries to provide some insight into this complex knot of counter-balanced interests. This is no easy task because information concerning the direct financing of various groups by Riyadh is fragmentary, and even more so concerning indirect financing. Adding to the complexity is the fact that until July, Flynn was being considered as a potential vice-presidential candidate on the Donald Trump ticket (the New York real estate mogul went on to choose
Indiana Governor Mike Pence). Consequently Flynn’s position is controversial. Is he thinking with his head or with his gut?

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