The deaths of over 700 pilgrims at Mecca has led to criticism of the Saudi government. As would be expected, Iran is especially vocal, in part because several dozen of its people were killed. Iran is seeking to undermine Saudi Arabia’s leading position in the Islamic world.
Saudi Arabia has other problems too. Its airwar on Yemen has caused a humanitarian crisis and it is about to behead and crucify a young Shia man whose conviction is rather dodgy.
Ukraine brings odd array of foreign fighters
An American is serving with pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukraine. Why? Because he thinks the Ukrainians are neo-fascists who will cause a nuclear war. There are indeed far-right elements in the Ukraine and fighting pro-Russian forces in the eastern Ukraine, but the Ukraine is not a neo-fascist country. Chechens are fighting on both sides.
Jordanian king displeased over Temple Mount tensions
King Abdullah has declined to meet or speak with Israeli PM Netanyahu because of the latter’s apparent acquiescence to the tensions on the Temple Mount. The Likud might like to see a Palestinian uprising. It would allow the PM to say there cannot be negotiations with a people involved in an uprising. Further, the Palestinian Authority might collapse as popular support is undermined. This would allow the Likud to continue expanding the settlements on the West Bank. The Likud government has no interest in pursuing the two-state solution. It wants the West Bank for strategic depth, to mollify the ultra-religious groups in its coalition, for the water resources, and for a growing population in a small country. Meanwhile, Israel is easing the rules of engagement against Palestinian rock throwers.