Saudi Arabia 'destabilising Arab world', German intelligence warns

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8. Reuter's headline and take on this story

German spy agency warns of Saudi shift to 'impulsive' policies

Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency, in an unusual public statement issued on Wednesday, voiced concern that Saudi Arabia was becoming impulsive in its foreign policy as powerful young Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman asserts himself.

The BND also said that with Saudi Arabia - the world's No. 1 oil exporter - losing confidence in the United States as a guarantor of Middle East order, Riyadh appeared ready to take more risks in its regional competition with Iran.

Since King Salman succeeded to power in January, Saudi Arabia has orchestrated a military coalition to intervene in neighboring Yemen to limit Iranian influence, increased support for Syrian rebels and made big changes in the royal succession.

Riyadh has long viewed Iran as aggressive and expansionary and regarded its use of non-state proxies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iraqi Shi'ite militias as aggravating sectarian tensions and destabilizing the region. But under Salman, it has moved more assertively to counter its regional foe.





Read more at Reutershttp://www.reuters.com/article/2015/12/02/us-saudi-germany-warning-idUSKBN0TL1O020151202#LRCJslclLSAlypKT.99