Saudis Are Capable

For several fearful years, I’ve received a Daily Digest from International SOS and Control Risks warning of dangers to world travelers. The threats range from ebola to anti-immigrant unrest to a “persistent threat of militancy.” The wording is usually negative: defer non-essential travel … avoid planned protest … anticipate disruption. Increasingly, the land of the free also gets a mention. But one country’s warnings are framed in an odd positive voice … “Saudi Arabia: Jizan province: Missile interception highlights security force capabilities” … “Saudi Arabia: Missile interceptions underline security force capabilities (Revised)” … “Saudi Arabia: Al-Madinah province: Missile interception over Yanbu underlines security force capabilities (Revised)” … The reasons behind these prevalent missile attacks are surely as newsworthy as their interception.