Saudi influence ops run like old Soviet fronts

Saudi Arabia’s influence operations in the United States and around the world are conducted through a sophisticated network of centrally-controlled front groups and affiliates that intelligence experts liken to the old ‘active measures’ campaigns of the former Soviet Union.

Western intelligence services are only beginning to understand the extent and nature of the ‘Wahhabi lobby’ that the Saudi government has deployed to take control of international Islam and to influence foreign populations and governments.

“Under the wings of the early Saudi international fronts sprang networks of other organizations sharing interlocking leaderships and responsible for a range of activities: one group to coordinate and recruit students on college campuses nationwide, another for political agitation and others for political lobbying, education, cultural and religious outreach, cadre-building; charities (to include fund raising for terrorist organizations); and holding companies, investment funds and tax-exempt foundations to finance the networks,” Insight magazine reports.

Says veteran congressional investigator Herbert Romerstein, “The FBI should be planting informants in these groups and monitoring them.”

BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Air Force asks Wahhabi group for help in recruiting Muslim chaplains.