The Saudi quotes seemed realistic to me, and this is not the first report I've read about their views of the situation. They can smell the uprising.

>Would that drive the US more into the Israeli sphere, if possible?

Could Bush just be giving lip-service to the world condeming (if ever so lightly), the destruction of the Palestinian homeland as an act of Israeli state-sponsored terrorism? (My tanks and missiles are bigger than your rocks and bombs....tit for tat type of revenge).
"Alas, but what are they to do to stop the suicide bombings?"

>Is it possible the Israelis would like to see the US in a war which was interpreted by the Muslims as the US against Muslims?

Have you ever thought about collusion?
White versus black?
Good versus evil?
The US and Israel against the Muslims?
Isn't everyone itching for a Holy War?
Isn't this all about God and their religion and who's right?
Isn't this all about.....revenge?

("God" ought to have bigger and better bombs than both of us to stop what COULD come next).
Let's say we proceed against Iraq without consent or support from the Saudis.
Do I think Bush would try it?
Oh yea, he's from Texas and he's not all that bright (after all, God is on his side....or at least Ashcrofts.....;~)

It would take NOTHING for any nation to support Saudi Arabia or Iran (or Pakistan) for that matter by suppying, sending or launching a nuclear attack on Israel.
And don't say it wouldn't, or couldn't happen.
Around here, all the boys act like Texas gunslingers.......shoot first and ask questions later.
THEN WHAT?
I can sure think of several scenarios.
And none of them are pretty.

>I have to confess it makes some sense to me. That doesn't mean it makes sense on any grand scale, though.

I shudder to think what really could be going on. Everyone seems dyin for Armaggedon.