Saudi King Abdullah dies

[OJsDad]

RIYADH, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died, state television reported early on Friday and his brother Salman became king, it said in a statement attributed to Salman.

King Salman has called on the family's Allegiance Council to pay allegiance to Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.

[Gusington]

BAD timing.

[steve58]

BAD timing.

...seriously, dying at the same time as Deflatgate hitting the news  :-\  (I kid, I kid)....on a more serious note, (shrug), due to his age/health I suspect the Saudis have been expecting it.

[bayonetbrant]

yeah, but it's going to kick off a succession struggle in the one part of the world that does not need more instability...

[Staggerwing]

yeah, but it's going to kick off a succession struggle in the one part of the world that does not need more instability...

Are we still talking about the NFL?

[Gusington]

Definitely.

[OJsDad]

yeah, but it's going to kick off a succession struggle in the one part of the world that does not need more instability...

I thought they were talking about this a couple of weeks ago, and that the succession was already decided.

[Greybriar]

According to this, King Abdullah's brother Salman became king.

[LongBlade]

According to this, King Abdullah's brother Salman became king.

Yes, but it's who comes after that matters.

The newly crowned king is so old that unfortunately it won't be long until he passes, too.

[GDS_Starfury]

I nominate Bawb.  he has facial hair.

[MikeGER]

the king is dead (long life the new king) but not Wahhabiszm

Wahhabiszm is what had started it all!, those medevil strict interpretation of Islam.
Saudi Arabia and some other 'Kingdoms' overthere are nothing else as a century-long settled-in IS, but with a shitload of oil and in pinstripes-banker suits (well, if they would not be wearing their traditional nighties all the time) so they dont have to export their ideology with military means. But incountry its the same Sharia-law ...including beheading, religious police, public flogging for a blogger, you name it....     
Its the same mindset as IS.  Well they don't invade other countries with bands of ragtag soldiers in pickup trucks ... they don't have to!
They just buy into each and everything they want, and spend billions on spreading the strict view of Islam by finacing Mosques/Education Centers in your country and city gentle reader, catering to immigrant-offspring with islamic belief.
And some of their rich private persons more ore less openly finance terror-groups in the middle east     

It was the historical error of the West (Allies), to let those nomadic camel breeders tribes, with their backward religion interpretation gain so much money and power.
Would have been better to cut a secret deal with Russia and China to just occupy that stretch of dirt in the late 40ies and let those "sand ni*%&" just be the "sand ni'*§&" they are!     
     

[bob48]

I nominate Bawb.  he has facial hair.

No way do I want to be anywhere nearer that part of the world than I already am.

[Gusington]

Too late, your nomination has been accepted Bawb. Only gold frying pans for your battered cranium from now on.

MikeGER - you have to tone it down a little. The above post was a little harsh.

[BanzaiCat]

Yeah, instability is not something the Saudis need any of. ISIS is certainly going to jump on this unless they get their shit together fast.

[GDS_Starfury]

MikeGER - you have to tone it down a little. The above post was a little harsh.

I respectfully disagree.  seems like a spot on summary.