The Saudis remain at best fair-weather friends to the US, while Israel's strength or weakness directly impacts US national security and geopolitical interests.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: America's best friends

But yes, some people who have been fair-weather friends, no doubt at those Krug and shepherd's pie parties, will steal away into the night.

BBC: Breakfast with Frost

What does seem predictable, however, is that at some point these arms will wind up in the hands of people who are not even our fair-weather friends.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Saudi Friends and Foes

It could be that these fair-weather (if not actually false) friends have been encouraged in their intransigence by State Department interlocutors many of whom appear to share Franco- Russian-Chinese hostility to the Bush goal of regime change in Iraq to believe that the President will accede to efforts to dumb-down the U.S.-drafted resolution.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Against Us

It could be that these fair-weather (if not actually false) friends have been encouraged in their intransigence by State Department interlocutors -- many of whom appear to share Franco- Russian-Chinese hostility to the Bush goal of regime change in Iraq -- to believe that the President will accede to efforts to dumb-down the U.S.-drafted resolution.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Against Us