I noted over a month ago that the Saudis would like to hedge their bets with China as a fallback ally.
Well, it looks like they've signed some deals:
Oil-rich Saudi Arabia and energy-starved China signed defense, security and trade agreements Saturday on the first day of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit, a trip both sides expect will enhance burgeoning relations.
This isn't too surprising.
Oil is obviously what Saudi Arabia is giving. The article does not mention what is involved in the defense and security agreements.
The Saudis don't like the direction our foreign policy is going and they'd just as soon deal with a country that will buy their oil and shut the hell up about what goes on inside the Kingdom.
I think that our Shia Arabia option is looking more and more like the way to go on the Arabian peninsula.
UPDATE: While not mentioning what is involved, this article does mention the old missile deal:
The Saudi state SPA news agency reported that the two sides also inked a "contract on defense systems."
No details on the contract were immediately available. Saudi Arabia, which has traditionally used Western defense systems, purchased Chinese Eastwind missiles in the 1980s.
Are the Saudis in the market for new ballistic missiles as they watch the Iranians across the Gulf? If so, this covers the defense side; but what about the security angle?
