According to an article in the March-April 2002 issue of Foreign Affairs, “The diminishing importance of the Saudi-American alliance is also underlined in two other significant developments: first, that Russia and Venezuela are competing to supplant Saudi Arabia as the leading exporter of oil to the United States, and second, that every Middle Eastern country is in some way cooperating with the U.S. in its fight against al-Qaeda. Even countries like Jordan and Yemen, which were sympathetic to Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War, are aiding the American-led coalition. Most Middle Eastern governments are implacably opposed to al-Qaeda and its affiliates; they are well aware that they, too, are targets of bin Laden’s campaign of violence.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Peter Bergen, Holy War, Inc., Page 237