Saudi Arabia and 9/11

The release a few months back of a 28-page government document (known simply as ‘The 28 pages’), confirmed that official members of the Saudi Arabian government were linked to the 9/11/01 attacks. To date, not one Saudi official has been charged for their complicity in the attacks.

We were told by President Bush right after 9/11:

Text: President Bush Addresses the Nation - 9/20/01

We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place until there is no refuge or no rest.

And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. 

So, why weren't those who funded the terrorists held accountable (the Bush administration had reviewed the 28 pages)? Why did the United States invade Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the 'war on terror' instead of focusing on who really funded the acts of terror?

As we documented previously, President Bush refuses to hold Saudi Arabia responsible since it would implicate himself and his own administration.

But, after fifteen years, Congress finally acted:

House votes to let 9/11 victims sue Saudi Arabia - CNN, 9/9/16

Defying a veto threat from the Obama administration, the House of Representatives Friday passed by voice vote a bill that would allow terror victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001 to sue Saudi Arabia.

The full text of the bill called the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA is here and states:

The purpose of this Act is to provide civil litigants with the broadest possible basis, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, to seek relief against persons, entities, and foreign countries, wherever acting and wherever they may be found, that have provided material support, directly or indirectly, to foreign organizations or persons that engage in terrorist activities against the United States.

Saudi Arabia preempted the upcoming vote with a threat back in April:

Saudi Arabia Warns of Economic Fallout if Congress Passes 9/11 Bill - NY Times, 4/15/16

Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, delivered the kingdom’s message personally last month during a trip to Washington, telling lawmakers that Saudi Arabia would be forced to sell up to $750 billion in treasury securities and other assets in the United States before they could be in danger of being frozen by American courts.

Several outside economists are skeptical that the Saudis will follow through, saying that such a sell-off would be difficult to execute and would end up crippling the kingdom’s economy. But the threat is another sign of the escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

They even hinted at the truth - (this could not get published in a Saudi affiliated paper without approval from the Saudi government):

Saudi Press: U.S. Blew Up World Trade Center To Create ‘War On Terror' - Breitbart, 5/22/16

This time, the London-based Al-Hayat daily has claimed that the U.S. planned the attacks on the World Trade Center in order to create a global war on terror.

The article, written by Saudi legal expert Katib al-Shammari and translated by MEMRI, claims that American threats to expose documents that prove Saudi involvement in the attacks are part of a long-standing U.S. policy that he calls “victory by means of archives.”

So, President Obama has confirmed that he will veto the bill:


Obama to Veto Bill Allowing 9/11 Lawsuits Against Saudi Arabia - NY Times, 9/12/16

Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said Mr. Obama “does intend to veto this legislation,” and would work to persuade lawmakers in both parties to change course.

So, let's summarize the potential outcomes:

If bill becomes law (via signature by President Obama or via veto override), Saudi Arabia would be liable to billions of dollars to the families of victims of attacks on 9/11. To prevent forfeiture, Saudi Arabia could either:

1. commence a selloff of American assets and thereby seriously damage the petrodollar system. The United States economy would fail via some form of hyperinflation and/or depression.
2. submit documents confirming an inside job that prove complicity in the 9/11 attacks by Untied States government officials.
3. allow themselves to be thrown under the bus and accept the loss of their country's assets. This is highly unlikely, as their citizens (as repressed as they are) would lead a revolt to overthrow the monarchy - which would lead to a petrodollar collapse.

If the bill does not become law, members of Congress who did not vote to override the veto would have to be held accountable to their constituents. The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would make this a political issue and question President Obama's loyalty to his country. It could be a deciding factor in the election.

Either way, we'll have our answer shortly.