29 Justification - Part II

13th March

Ministry of Defence, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Our visit to the Minister of Defence, told us what was expected of us. An attack on Israel, in retaliation for their part in allowing the Lunarians to pursue independence. Brigadier Mohammed was foolish to ask why we were attacking Israel. I already know the answer, but if I were to tell him, he would be disappointed.

"Do you want to stop at Donald's on the way back? I'm hungry."

"Didn't the one around here close down?" Mohammed replied.

"Oh, your probably right," I say, absentmindedly.

He's probably right. Everything around here is closing down nowadays. Especially foreign businesses like Donald's. We continue walking down the hallway in silence for a little while. I feel like I should probably tell Mohammed off for what he asked the Minister a few minutes ago, but I can't bring myself to, because he isn't wrong. And besides, it wouldn't be befitting for a high-ranking officer like the Brigadier to be scolded in a public building like this. We come to a stop in front of the elevator, Mohammed calls it up to us.

"Why'd you look so sick in the elevator on the way up?" I ask.

"I hate elevators," Mohammed responds, "they make me feel queasy. I can't help but feel like the floor's going to give out, and I'm going to plunge to my death. Especially ones that smell bad and creak."

This is bad. Now that he's said it, I can't get the image out of my head. I can't die falling down an elevator shaft. Who would look after my family if that happened?

"I-I'll take the stairs, after all," I say, shakily.

"Yes sir," Mohammed begins to follow me.

"No, no, you have to take the elevator. You called for it. If you don't take it, you might have inconvenienced people for nothing. Yes, there's nothing to be done about it now. You'll have to take the elevator. See you in the lobby."

Mohammed looks very dejected, as I begin making my way down the stairs.

Back in the car, I relax a little. Thirty years ago, I might have asked the same question that Mohammed did back in the Minister's office. But over that time, I've gotten wiser. I know that those aren't the kind of questions your supposed to ask in this business. And I already have a good idea of why we are going to war with Israel. It's a justification of sorts. The Israelis and Lunarians are just a means to an end for the Royal Family. It makes me feel a little disgusted with myself for going along with this. The reason that we're going to war is not to avenge the pride of the Arab people, not that pride should be a good enough reason anyway. The reason me and my men are being sent to fight on the frontlines is because it's necessary for the survival of the country. Fighting an external war on the fringes of the empire, sometimes against imagined enemies, has been a tactic employed by leaders since ancient times. From Augustus to Putin, many a leader great or evil has used this strategy, this philosophy. And now the Saudis are using it to remain in power even after their rule has become out of touch, and their time has certainly passed.

This war is merely a facade, to give the country something to unite behind. Nationalistic propaganda is the real meaning of this war. This divided and fragmented country has needed something like that to survive now that oil and the riches it delivers are no longer a reason to remain united. So instead, an external existential threat to the nation's survival has to be created to give people the feeling that they have no choice but to remain under the oppressive rule of the Saudis. And for that reason, this war will end in a stalemate, and be drawn out for as long as is possible. Thousands will die in a war that is meaningless, and is already decided. There is no intention to cross the Jordan and liberate the Palestinians. The war won't be allowed to end until the Saudis find another enemy to rally the people against, in order to keep them in line. If conflict is inevitable, there must always be an external threat to keep the people in line, so that the conflict doesn't become an internal fight for survival.