Ambassadors Quote by Michael Scheuer
“You become an anti-Semite. And as powerful as the Israeli lobby is, the Saudi lobby is just as powerful. In fact, the Saudis probably have more money to throw around, and they suborn former U.S. intelligence officials, former ambassadors, former generals to support them from within by lobbying the Congress and other American institutions.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: PBS Frontline, 2014
The speaker argues that Saudi influence rivals Israeli lobbying, using money and former officials to sway U.S. policy.
In simple terms: Saudi influence is as strong as Israeli lobbying.
Key Takeaway
Recognize multiple foreign influences in policy.
Themes
geopolitics
power
influence
Mood
cautious
inquisitive
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- Congressional hearings
- media analysis
- academic research
- public debate
Key Concepts
lobbying
foreign policy
money
intelligence recruitment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does lobbying affect democratic processes?
- What safeguards exist against undue foreign influence?
A Different Perspective
The claim may exaggerate the equivalence of influence.
![“We will have to work around the world with less than ideal governments. The government in Saudi Arabia is not a democracy, but we will have to work with them. The government in Jordan is not perfect, but we will have to work with them. But anti-American dictators like [Bashar] Assad, who help…” quote by Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/348/marco-rubio-355_anti-american_we-will-have-to-work-around-the-world-wi_491278.jpg)
