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Prince Bandar declares war on Washington

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse in the Middle East, Washington has discovered a new foe: His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz of the House of Saud. Along with allegations of impropriety in his acceptance of over £1 billion ($2 billion) from British defense contractor BAE ...

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601151_070615_cowboys_05.jpg

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse in the Middle East, Washington has discovered a new foe: His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz of the House of Saud. Along with allegations of impropriety in his acceptance of over £1 billion ($2 billion) from British defense contractor BAE comes the news that a £75 million ($150 millon) Airbus 340 was given to him for his birthday in 1998—painted blue and silver, the colors of his favorite American football team, the Dallas Cowboys. Bandar is said to be a close friend of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Prince Bandar’s Cowboys happen to be bitter division rivals of Washington’s own Redskins. D.C. lawmakers are sure to be displeased by this latest development in U.S.-Saudi relations, as many of them are still smarting from a rough 2006 season in which the hated Cowpokes edged Washington for a coveted playoff spot.

The way things are going, next we’re going to find out that King Abdullah supports the Cleveland Cavs.

Sam duPont is a Master's candidate at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School and focused his capstone research on transitional democracies and elections in fragile states.
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