Moscow uses threats to force Saudis into line over Syria

Arab sources reported Sunday that in advance of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir’s visit to Moscow on Aug. 11, the Russians are trying some arm-twisting to make Riyadh fall into line and join them and the Americans in accepting the Assad regime. Moscow intends putting before the minister the final US-Russian plan for resolving the Syrian conflict. If the Saudis continue to show resistance, Moscow will draft a UN Security Council motion condemning the Saudi invasion of Yemen and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The DEBKAfile Special Report provides exclusive background on this turn of events.