While tensions are simmering over the prospect of a Turkish-Saudi ground operation in Syria, one thing is clear: a longstanding war in the region would play directly into the hands of US war hawks and the military-industrial complex, Pakistani analyst Salman Rafi Sheikh believes.
Although Russia and Saudi Arabia have apparently reached an understanding regarding their oil policies, in�the eyes of�Riyadh the successful Russo-Syrian military campaign is a red rag to�a bull, according to�Salman Rafi Sheikh, research-analyst of�International Relations and Pakistan's foreign and domestic affairs.

However, with�the best will in�the world, Saudi Arabia cannot unleash a ground campaign to�topple Syrian legitimate President Bashar al-Assad on�its own.
"Not only does it [Riyadh] lack the required military capacity to�make a direct intervention on�its own, but�also the political will to�face the combined forces of�Iran, Russia and Syria," Sheikh writes in�his article for�New Eastern Outlook.


To achieve its ambitious goals Riyadh needs a backer, or "external mentor," to�orchestrate the potential operation. Therefore, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that the "deployment of�Saudi troops to�Syria is up�to the United States," the analyst explains.

The question remains open whether Riyadh's military aims have sympathizers in�Washington.

According to�Sheikh, Saudi Arabia's ground operation plan has been "welcomed" by�US war hawks.

"The US' position with�regard to�resolution of�the conflict in�Syria and Russian operations is, nonetheless, rooted in�the 'war games' the US has itself tacitly initiated and continues to�earn profit from. No wonder, Saudi Arabia's offer to�supply ground troops was 'welcomed' by�the United States," the analyst writes.

Sheikh calls attention to�the fact that all the weapons the House of�Saud has been using in�Yemen and would possibly use in�Syria are US-made.
"The wars in�Yemen and Syria are being fought amidst�billion-dollar defense deals between�Saudi Arabia, as�also other Gulf States, and the US," he underscores.


Indeed, according to�the recent findings by�the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Saudi Arabia has become the world's second-largest arms importer and top arms importer in�the Middle East. It has increased imports of�foreign weapons by�275% over�the last five years, as�compared to�2006-2010.

Meanwhile, TAQNIA Defense and Security Technologies of�Saudi Arabia (DST) concluded a partnership agreement with Turkey's biggest defense firm Aselsan.

"The main areas of�technological cooperation will focus on�radars, electronic warfare suites and electro-optical technology," DefenseNews.com reported Monday, citing military officials.

Saudi Arabia's willingness to�boost its military forces suits the strategy of�Washington war hawks, which are at�the same time keeping a tight rein on�Riyadh and Ankara, according to�Sheikh.
By Sputnik