Today's 2...9/11 & transition

I'm on holiday for the next couple of days, so am reverting to a reduced post of "Today's 2..." Don't worry (I know some of you were panicking), "Today's 4..." will be back in earnest next Monday. In the meantime, don't forget that you can keep up to speed with the blog via our Facebook page.


So, for here's Today's 2...

Bob Graham

Bob Kerrey

The New York Times reported that two former US senators, Bob Graham and Bob Kerrey (both democrats) have claimed that top secret information on Saudi activities suggests that the Kingdom may have played a "direct role" in the September 11th attacks. Bob Graham states his point clearly: "I am convinced that there was a direct line between at least some of the terrorists who carried out the September 11th attacks and the government of Saudi Arabia". In response to Graham and Kerrey's claims, the US State Department has made it clear the relationship between Washington and Riyadh has not been compromised by the remarks, nor have joint US-Saudi counter-terrorism efforts. We should keep our eyes on this one. Whilst King Abdullah's immediate entourage have a strong relationship with the US, there are numerous second and third tier princes who sit on the sidelines under the radar of the Abdullah's inner circle. I'm not sure the Saud regime can be entirely sure of all their activities. 


The Australian reported on the transition of power from Saleh to Hadi in Yemen. The article takes a celebratory tone, commenting on how the recent handover ceremony took place without major incident. The article's tone is full of optimism at Saleh's exit and the mutterings of reform coming from Camp Hadi. This positive tone contrasts to the initial concerns that the state of the Yemeni economy would provide an unnavigable blockade to reform for Hadi. I say let's give Yemen's new president a chance.