Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition) : Saudi Arabia Working to Assert Itself....

Our team has been on the prowl as the struggle in the Middle East is continuing and as we witness to to change in Zimbabwe as our World always fascinates as we work to live up to our mantra of Intelligent Engagement. 

The New York Times' Thomas Friedman sat down with Mohammad Bin Salman on Thanksgiving 2017.   Mr. Friedman's Column is available in full by clicking here.   Our team wanted to feature his column with the image it captured above that is quite telling in terms of what he said as he deemed Khameini, Iran's Supreme Leader   the new Hitler of the Middle East.   This is as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have increased the pressure on Qatar.    What was interesting (and amusing in our team's View) was what someone deemed this: A Press release by #MBS (that he's known for) sent forth through Thomas Friedman.     Mr. Friedman has done some interesting work and we have been a fan of his writings including The World Is Flat & Thank You for Being Late.  However, this praise of what #MBS is doing as Yemen continues to rage on , Freedoms continue to be problematic and of course the cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia rages on--as Iran called #MBS "Weak-Minded" in response to his comments.   .    One of the victims is Lebanon as the Prime Minister returned to Lebanon and rescinded his resignation.  .   As Saad Hariri tries to figure out a path forward, we have seen reports that his family's construction business built on the largesse of the Saudi Royal Family is collapsing.

Truly interesting times.....