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Allies follow Saudis in cutting ties with Iran amid tensions

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By JON GAMBRELL

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Breaking News! Sunnis and Shiites hate each other. Check back in 500 years for an update.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, a political science professor at Emirates University. “This is the Saudis saying: ‘There is no limit to how far we will go.’” - article

Didn't the Saudi's have another guy who knew no limits. Bin, Bin-something.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

NATO forces should leave the region, go back home and secure their respective borders. To reduce the wealth and power of the MENA nations, ways to reduce the demand for petroleum and petroleum based products need to be found. More attention must be paid to further development of renewable sources of energy.

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Just gotta love the middle east ne! what do you expect when its dominated by a religion that spreads hate and intolerance

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Just gotta love the middle east ne! what do you expect when its dominated by a religion that spreads hate and intolerance

Certain elements within the religion spread hate and intolerance, not the religion. If we go by your definition, you would have to say the same about Christianity (Westboro baptist church), buddhism (Myanmar priests) and pretty much every religion.

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What a terrifying photo. They look like a satanic devil worshiping sect. And according to the text, those are the women!

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You don't have to go to the ME for the teaching of religious hate it's everywhere. You can go listen to Rev Jeremiah Wright and learn that the white man and the jew are the DEVIL What's good for the Obama family should be OK for everyone.

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Iran certain population sure have penchant to approach foreign guest embassy in the manner of getting loud attention. Iran should have send security earlier to prevent mob. Luckily saudi employess is not in. Iran is at fault here. Remember USA embassy in 1970s.almost same scenario. Gosh.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It shows you Saudi Arabia has had enough of Iran and wants to send a message

The price of oil is already becoming more volatile, and is on its way up.

The conspiracy theorist in me sees this whole ordeal as an orchestrated OPEC ploy. Low oil prices up to now have hit the oil producing nations hard, and these tensions are a way out of that rut — a potential gold mine for them.

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bruinfan:

Iran does not send ANY money to ISIS. ISIS is Sunni and will kill Shiites as happily as they are murdering Yazidis and Christians.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Strangerland:

" I don't disagree. There is a percentage of Muslims who go the violent route. But it's their decisions that make them that way, not their religion. "

Of course they base their decisions on religion. Have you never read the statements by Osama Bin Ladin, by Abu Bakr al Bagdadi, by Yussuf Al Qaradafi, or other radical clerics? The violent jihad is 100% argued with religious doctrine. There is nothing there that would be relevant to non-muslims.

" If it was the religion, all Muslims would be that way, and yet, it's only a minuscule percentage that are extremists. "

That is a non-sequitur. OF COURSE not every muslim studies religious texts, just like not every Buddhist is a monk. Heck, I am Catholic on paper myself, but I never go near a church. And ironically, just a few messages earlier you argued that since it is impossible to leave islam, many people who are not interested in the religion are counted as nonimal muslims, did you not?

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Hi Strangerland,

are you familiar with the name Maajid Nawaz? If not, google him. He is a truly interesting character, Egyptian/British muslim, long-term islamist activist in the Hisb-Al-Tharir, then turned moderate and founder of the Quilliam foundation, which advocates a modern, moderate islam. Interestingly, one of his pet peeves that he often addresses in his speeches is YOU -- namely those well-meaning but ill-informed Western liberals who refuse to address the issue of radical islam, insisting that islam has nothing to do with islamism. He stresses that those people are one of the biggest obstacles to a solution.

Here is a link to an interview you could start with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CYuwBcPObQ

1 ( +2 / -1 )

it's not the religion that perverts, or he would be just as bad as the radicals.

But it was individuals that took a religion that grew out of time during heavy civil unrest and violence(Let's not sugarcoat this) and the individuals that took the extreme parts of the religion and twisted the interpretation and radicalized it and bringing it to the 21st century.

It's a$$holes who use the religion as a means to push their own nefarious goals that are the problem.

But the problem is, you have hundreds and thousands of people that believe and uphold the ideas of Sharia and they believe it all in its purest forms and even there are moderate muslims that think violence is justified when the religion is attacked. Peaceful?

Same as with Christianity. Most Christians are good people. Some shoot up abortion clinics.

Ok, true on that point and now, what other massive attacks have Christians committed on the same violent and radical level the Jihadists have done within the last 14 years where people are afraid that the Christian religion wants to persecute, behead, bomb, murder all in the name of Jesus? That comparison doesn't even come close.

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Strangerland:

" But he is a perfect example of what I'm talking about - it's not the religion that perverts, or he would be just as bad as the radicals. "

You should listen to him before repeating your false stereotypes. But alas, your stubborn insistence is typical for what he (Nawaz) complains about.

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Just gotta love the middle east ne!

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The low oil prices is due to OPEC trying to force the US out of the oil export business not pushing the oil prices up. The reason oil prices are low is due to imbalance in demand in supply where they are gushing more then needed into the market so they can suppress price making production not economically viable in some regions.

Having said that it does have something to do with the oil market in which Iran with their own oil Bourse in which they accept various exchange currency besides the US dollar is the major throne in OPEC's side which has a special interest in hiking up the US dollar.

With the Russians out the picture at the moment, Iran is the only major obstacle in maintaining the US dollar as the exclusive exchange currency for oil.

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“This is the Saudis saying: ‘There is no limit to how far we will go.’”

So war is not out of the question?

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The Sunni-Shia war is heating up, and our political leaders and media pundits are scratching their collective heads, fumbling for explanations.

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Madverts:

Do you have any indication that e.g. your much-beloved American Potus has any clue at all about the Middle East and its history and ideologies? Seriously?

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I'll take that as a no then.

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"Mission Accomplished" indeed Bush.

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Certain elements within the religion spread hate and intolerance, not the religion. If we go by your definition, you would have to say the same about Christianity (Westboro baptist church), buddhism (Myanmar priests) and pretty much every religion.

Not quite true. As I pointed out earlier, Did Buddha himself ever say anything directly promoting violence towards others by his followers? Did Jesus? The resounding answer is no, If you don't believe me look it up and search hard for any time when either of those two explicitly called and advocated for killing others by their followers. But Mohammed did specifically state from his own mouth many situations calling for killing or doing harm to others. What followers do after the founding "fathers" of their respective belief do may or may not be true to the founding fathers actual words. If the founder does not promote violence at all, it is the followers that are wrong if the go about killing and murdering etc. If the founder does promote violence, then the followers that are "wrong" do not go about killing and murdering etc.

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Did Buddha himself ever say anything directly promoting violence towards others by his followers?

And yet we have Buddhist monks attacking Muslims in Myanmar: <http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22356306

Did Jesus?

From the bible:

If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death.

And look at the guy shooting up the abortion clinic just a month ago.

On the other side of things, we have Muslims protecting Christians trying to pray: http://www.christianpost.com/news/viral-photo-shows-muslims-protecting-church-in-egypt-as-congregants-attend-mass-amid-threat-of-attack-102592/

And conversely Christians protecting Muslims: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1353330/Egypt-protests-Christians-join-hands-protect-Muslims-pray-Cairo-protests.html

I know you guys want to try to blame the religion, so that it's the religion's fault, and that all the people in that religion can be held guilty. But the fact is that the terrorist and the scum are terrorists and scum because they are a$$holes. The religion is just the excuse they use to be a$$holes.

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Strangerland:

" And yet we have Buddhist monks attacking Muslims in Myanmar: <http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22356306 "

That is a blow-back to Rohinga violence against Buddhists. You can go and play chicken and egg with that one forever, but is not an example for violence inherent in Buddhist teaching.

What you do NOT find anywhere in the world are countless Buddhist terrorist organization along the lines Hamas, Hisb-Alla. Islamic Jihad, Jabat al Islamyya, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab etc.... continue at will, the list is endless. And what you certainly do not find is Buddhists attacking Non-Buddhists to shouts of "Buddha is Great".

As much as PC doctrine would like to believe so, the problems of political are problems of islam only, and they are rooted in scripture. The Koran is chock-full with negative mentions of other, existing religions, while you will not find any mention of other religions in Buddhist texts. Holy war and ruling over others is simply not a topic for Buddhism (or any other existing religion that I am aware of, except for one.)

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That is a blow-back to Rohinga violence against Buddhists

So?

What you do NOT find anywhere in the world are countless Buddhist terrorist organization along the lines Hamas, Hisb-Alla. Islamic Jihad, Jabat al Islamyya, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab etc.... continue at will, the list is endless. And what you certainly do not find is Buddhists attacking Non-Buddhists to shouts of "Buddha is Great".

I don't disagree. There is a percentage of Muslims who go the violent route. But it's their decisions that make them that way, not their religion. If it was the religion, all Muslims would be that way, and yet, it's only a minuscule percentage that are extremists.

As much as PC doctrine would like to believe so, the problems of political are problems of islam only, and they are rooted in scripture.

No, they are problems of other religions as well - look at the guy who shot up the abortion clinic recently. Look at the westboro baptist church. Look at the KKK. Look at the bible. Look at the crusades.

As for Buddhism being non-violent for the most part - I agree. And yet you have violent buddhists in Myanmar. You are proving my point - it's a$$holes who resort to violence, and that's regardless of religion.

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Strangerland:

" But he is a perfect example of what I'm talking about - it's not the religion that perverts, or he would be just as bad as the radicals. "

As I pointed out, he WAS a radical. And he describes the religious narrative used by the radicals. Did you listen to him at all? He points out that the refusal by misguided liberals to acknowledge the link between islam and islamism is a major problem to finding a solution.

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From the bible: If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death.

Hate to break it to you, but Jesus did not say that himself. That is from Leviticus buddy... ye olde testament (aka Judaism).... Before Jesus was even born as in BC. Keep trying pal. Christianity is majorly based on Jesus teachings.

The founding father's words are what matters here.

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Back on topic please.

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The Iranian people attacked the Saudi's Tehran embassy as a protest against the Saudi's decision to execute an individual for the only crime of speaking out! Saudi Arabia murders hundreds of people every year.......

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The basis of their religious beliefs is what is inspiring the majority of their behavior. They'll never get along with each other, why do we keep thinking they'll get along with non-Islamic nations? Between religious differences and basic tribal minded mentality, I'd be surprised if this goes anywhere in a positive direction.

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Saudia Arabians send more money to Isis than Iran does.

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No, they are problems of other religions as well

Yeah but "Islam" is notorious for Sharia Law. It's got to be the worst. Sharia Law exists in throughout the ME.

Basic Sharia Law folks:

Women are raped and cannot testify against the rapist. Women cannot drive. Women get "stoned" to death for alleged adultery. Meanwhile, islamic men may have 4 wives. If you criticize the religion or the koran, its punishable by death. Hands are amputated for stealing. No alcohol. Men can marry an infant girl & consummate the marriage when she turns 9. Men can beat their wives for insubordination.

. . . but, , , but, its a "peaceful" religion. No thank you.

look at the guy who shot up the abortion clinic recently.

That's nothing compared to 9/11, the attacks in London '05, Madrid '04, Charlie Hebdo / Paris attacks or San Bernardino terror -all in 2015.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority suspended all flights to and from Iran, saying the move was based on the kingdom’s cutting of diplomatic ties.

Jee . . . I wish the obama administration would likewise (permanently) suspend any flight, future flights, of ANY islamic refugees into the United states of America. Too many Major League Inidels there . . . 'know wat I' mean??

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

WilliBJAN. 05, 2016 - 05:37PM JST The Sunni-Shia war is heating up, and our political leaders and media pundits are scratching their collective heads, fumbling for explanations.

Were you talking about any political leaders or media pundits in particular? Or was this something from this mornings Bubble update that sounded worth repeating?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

one of his pet peeves that he often addresses in his speeches is YOU -- namely those well-meaning but ill-informed Western liberals who refuse to address the issue of radical islam, insisting that islam has nothing to do with islamism.

I've never claimed it has nothing to do with Islam - they are doing their actions in the name of Islam. Their actions are most definitely connected with the religion.

But he is a perfect example of what I'm talking about - it's not the religion that perverts, or he would be just as bad as the radicals. It's a$$holes who use the religion as a means to push their own nefarious goals that are the problem. Same as with Christianity. Most Christians are good people. Some shoot up abortion clinics.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

But it was individuals that took a religion that grew out of time during heavy civil unrest and violence(Let's not sugarcoat this) and the individuals that took the extreme parts of the religion and twisted the interpretation and radicalized it and bringing it to the 21st century.

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's individuals perverting it to their own ends.

But the problem is, you have hundreds and thousands of people that believe and uphold the ideas of Sharia and they believe it all in its purest forms and even there are moderate muslims that think violence is justified when the religion is attacked. Peaceful?

As long as they aren't attacking anyone and being violent, they have the right to believe whatever they want, ridiculous and offensive as it may be. And you should be supporting that, seeing some of the violent beliefs you hold.

Ok, true on that point and now, what other massive attacks have Christians committed on the same violent and radical level the Jihadists have done within the last 14 years where people are afraid that the Christian religion wants to persecute, behead, bomb, murder all in the name of Jesus? That comparison doesn't even come close.

Thank you for agreeing with my point that it's the individuals that are the problem.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's individuals perverting it to their own ends.

That's a loooooot of individuals.

As long as they aren't attacking anyone and being violent, they have the right to believe whatever they want, ridiculous and offensive as it may be.

No one is saying that, but if they bring their Sharia to our shores and want to or think to impose Sharia in OUR Western societies and don't feel they need to fit in and follow the culture of the host country where the reside, then they should leave, simple as that.

And you should be supporting that, seeing some of the violent beliefs you hold.

Keep trying Strange. LOL

Thank you for agreeing with my point that it's the individuals that are the problem.

So how many radical individuals make up Al Qaida and ISIS and how many of them in these groups have caused carnage and mayhem across the globe?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

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