"“The tribes of the south don’t like him because he’s upset their system of patronage and taken away the non-jobs for which they were handsomely paid. The Islamists don’t like him because they say the elections have been rigged and they’re clamoring for political reform. Attempts to get the minority of liberals to form a bloc in parliament are going nowhere.”
As for King Abdullah’s past associates: “Everyone was dismissed in a humiliating way. People are no longer willing to do him any favors.”
To be frank, humiliation is relative. Some ministers were sent packing with handsome payoffs — four or five cars, a generous slab of land and a grand mansion. And yet in this part of the Middle East, dignity is still more highly prized than bling. and several ousted ministers claimed the palace had insulted them not just to their face but behind their back as well.
For now, the club of the once-powerful is collectively shaking its head at the king’s loss of authority at home and his diminishing international status. One member likened him to Scheherazade in “One Thousand and One Nights” who had to keep telling stories to prevent her head being cut off in the morning.
“Our king is telling one story to the tribes, another to the Islamists, another to the Americans and another to the Palestinians,” said the former official. “But they’re all different stories.” He shrugs. “How long can that go on?”"
As for King Abdullah’s past associates: “Everyone was dismissed in a humiliating way. People are no longer willing to do him any favors.”
To be frank, humiliation is relative. Some ministers were sent packing with handsome payoffs — four or five cars, a generous slab of land and a grand mansion. And yet in this part of the Middle East, dignity is still more highly prized than bling. and several ousted ministers claimed the palace had insulted them not just to their face but behind their back as well.
For now, the club of the once-powerful is collectively shaking its head at the king’s loss of authority at home and his diminishing international status. One member likened him to Scheherazade in “One Thousand and One Nights” who had to keep telling stories to prevent her head being cut off in the morning.
“Our king is telling one story to the tribes, another to the Islamists, another to the Americans and another to the Palestinians,” said the former official. “But they’re all different stories.” He shrugs. “How long can that go on?”"
