Saudi Politics

Soj at Daily Kos has a great analysis of Saudi politics (thanks Dave!). I think the people saying it doesn't matter much are looking mainly at the fact Abdullah was running things even when Fahd was alive, so this business about how the Sudayri Seven are now only a quick assassination away from power was as true a year ago as it is now. It's also worth mentioning that the Saudi government is always a balance among many factions each with its own power center. King Abdullah will continue to employ people who are essentially his rivals, not because he wants to adopt their agenda, but because they have independent sources of power which he needs to co-opt into the regime to survive.