What does Saudi King Abdullah have to do with Boston's Local Mayor?
by Danny Haiphong
“Without Saudi-sponsored terrorists, imperialism's regional influence and military presence would diminish considerably.”
King Abdullah's recent passing has blatantly exposed the inherent contradictions of imperialism. US imperialism's ruling politicians from Barack Obama to John Kerry expressed their condolences for the now deceased ruler of Saudi Arabia. President Obama credited Abdullah for bringing "peace" and "education" to the region. The New York Times claimed Abdullah’s rule helped "modernize" Saudi Arabia. Of course, such statements are gross lies and distortions of King Abdullah's true legacy.
The nation-state of Saudi Arabia is far from "modern" or a beacon of progress. Saudi Arabia (and much of the GCC) is a theocracy based on the feudal rule of succession. Political parties in Saudi Arabia are banned. Critics of Abdullah have cited Saudi Arabia's repression of women and the common practice of decapitation in the judicial system as policies antithetical to the so-called purity of Western "democratic" values. Saudi Arabia is a militarized, feudal state that represses masses of exploited people within its own borders while a small minority of families makes fortunes from the nation’s vast oil resources.
The West's condolences (Obama’s included) for Saudi Arabia's repressive King should not be seen as a lapse in imperial judgment. Saudi Arabia pumps billions of dollars worth of oil into US imperialism and holds a monopoly on global oil prices. Without the Saudi royal family's compliance, the US wouldn’t be engaged in flooding the capitalist market with oil and shale gas in an attempt to destabilize the sovereignty of Venezuela, Iran, and Russia. Saudi Arabia is also one of the most enthusiastic participants in the purchase of US war armaments. The close military and economic relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia is a powerful determinate of geopolitical conditions in the region. Saudi Arabia regularly collaborates with and influences US imperialist policy in its own quest for regional expansion.
What has this looked like over the course of history? President Franklin Roosevelt established a partnership with the Wahhabi ruler Bin Saud in 1945. US imperialism's primary interest was securing Saudi Arabia's oil wealth to fuel the US military industrial complex under construction during World War II. The US and Saudi Arabia agreed to protect each others interests, which included the formation of Israel and the containment of communism in the Middle East. The US and Saudi Arabia have since fought hard to repress the self-determination of Middle Eastern and North African nations. For example, in 1979, Saudi Arabia was instrumental in funding the Mujahedeen terrorist network that overthrew the leftist government of Afghanistan and murdered thousands of Afghani men, women, and children in the process.
“Without the Saudi royal family's compliance, the US wouldn’t be engaged in flooding the capitalist market with oil and shale gas in an attempt to destabilize the sovereignty of Venezuela, Iran, and Russia.”
The "War on Terror" has placed a spotlight on US-Saudi relations in recent years. Saudi Arabia has gladly co-signed every US imperialist war in the region since George Bush Jr. declared the "War on Terror" officially in 2001. King Abdullah's regional assistance in the invasion of Iraq and the occupation of Afghanistan is a major reason why the US and its allies are able to continue to ravage the region generally. Saudi Arabia has regularly collaborated with Israel in the repression of Palestinians and the Zionist quest for expansion beyond Palestine. The US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and their allies have also held joint military and intelligence operations. Imperialism's "coalitions of the willing" have covertly funded and trained the so-called "terrorists" the West claims to be at war with. These terrorists were put into power in Libya and have murdered thousands in Syria. Without Saudi-sponsored terrorists, imperialism's regional influence and military presence would diminish considerably.
Terrorism, oil profits, and war sum up Saudi Arabia's role on the global stage. However, far too many in the West view Saudi Arabia as either a convenient ally shrouded in mystery or a mere blemish on the "civilized" racist worldview of Western "democracy." This misunderstanding of the Saudi state is why it's important to continuously expose imperialism's praise for the Saudi King and what it means for oppressed people. It is also important to recognize the important connections between imperialism on the global stage and the struggle of oppressed people in US cities and locales. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh is a prime example. During his campaign for mayor a little over a year ago, Walsh was backed by both the ruling class and progressives alike. Labor unions were promised a friendlier political environment for organized workers. The impoverished and homeless were promised an increase in services and an end to cutbacks. Walsh also declared that he would make the city affordable to all. What actually happened after Walsh's mayoral victory couldn't have been farther from his campaign promises.
Walsh didn't wait long to side with the Veolia corporation in its war on the Boston school Bus Driver's union, USW Local 8571. He has done nothing overall to help expand the benefits of labor unions in the city. Furthermore, the Mayor closed the Long Island homeless shelter in October of 2014. This displaced nearly 600 people from shelter in the frigid winter months. Recent reports from the corporately owned local papers indicate the closing was not due to concerns over a faulty bridge that connects Boston to the shelter. The official story is being challenged by reports that Walsh, in hopes of bringing a 2024 Olympic Games to Boston, plans to use the Island as a space for the game's events.
“Mayor Walsh's image is branded by the Democratic Party's reputation as the elected "left" wing of imperial democracy.”
An Olympic games in Boston would exacerbate gentrification, police militarization, and austerity. Walsh's short stint as mayor has proven that he is the man to get the job done. He denounced the #BlackLivesMatter movement in Boston and topped off his disdain by firing a City worker for her participation in a BLM demonstration. The police, the banks, and the entire capitalist class in Boston know Walsh has their back. Workers and oppressed people are learning that he doesn't have theirs.
The mayor of Boston is a locally elected representative of the imperialist ruling class. Similar to Abdullah, the vast majority of mayors across the US work against the interests of working class and oppressed people and for the capitalist class. This is true even when the mayor identifies as a Black American. Walsh may not preside over a feudal Kingdom like in Saudi Arabia or have the geopolitical pull Riyadh. However, the same system of exploitation that wreaks havoc on nations and peoples around the globe legitimizes the rule of Walsh and his subsequent political dishonesty.
The way that imperialist politicians and media conglomerates have glorified King Abdullah is part and parcel of the same imperialist ideology that protects Mayor Walsh's hypocrisy. This ideology is often termed "American Exceptionalism." American Exceptionalism is a worldview that gives imperialism a positive, "civilized" position in the world no matter how much damage, death, or exploitation it leaves behind. Mayor Walsh's image is branded by the Democratic Party's reputation as the elected "left" wing of imperial democracy. No matter how much Walsh's administration gentrifies the city, militarizes the police, and impoverishes working class people, American exceptionalism gives his rule the benefit of being seen as a "lesser evil" within the "civilized" system of governance in the US.
Although the context from which Walsh emerged is different from that of King Abdullah, both leaders fill their respective place of service to the imperialist system. For the imperialists, any leader that does the bidding of the banks, military industrialists, and transnational corporations is worthy of praise. It is for this reason that King Abdullah can get away with war and human rights violations and Walsh can get away with oppression window-dressed as progressivism. The idea of "American Exceptionalism," and the structures that uphold it, gives them immunity from official consequence.
Criticism of the West’s praise for Abdullah should not leave out a critique of Western "democracy” in all of its forms. What is most important at this current juncture is the relationship between the US/Western imperialism and the allied states of the Middle East like Saudi Arabia. President Obama or John Kerry should be expected to praise a helpful dictator just as Mayor Walsh should be expected to enforce gentrification, racism, and austerity in Boston. The fight against imperialism is a fight for power and against power. It is a fight that requires a new social order that meets the needs of the oppressed by unseating the oppressor, whether it be Walsh or Abdullah. From Boston to Saudi Arabia, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and the common enemy of imperialism is the target.
Danny Haiphong is an organizer for Fight Imperialism Stand Together (FIST) in Boston. He is also a regular contributor to Black Agenda Report. Danny can be reached at [email protected] and FIST can be reached at [email protected].
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