A few weeks ago, I wrote that the Saudis were threatening the UK with cancellation of a contract potentially worth almost $80 billion to purchase the Typhoon (aka "Eurofighter") aircraft if British prosecutors continued to pursue allegations that a slush fund amounting to more than $100 million was established by BAE Systems (a British company and the primary builder of the Eurofighter in the UK) to benefit members of the Saudi royal family. Today - in an action worthy of France -- the British apparently caved in to Saudi blackmail.

According to this BBC report, the British Attorney General, "...Lord Goldsmith told the House of Lords he thought that a prosecution 'could not be brought.' He said the decision had been made in the wider public interest, which had to be balanced against the rule of law. Lord Goldsmith also told [the House of Commons] that Prime Minister Tony Blair had agreed that the continuation of the investigation would cause 'serious damage' to relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia."

In the early 19th Century, the European Powers - Britain, France and Spain - paid tribute to Tripolitan Beys to protect their shipping from pirate attacks. The paradigm established then seems to hold to this day: pay to play. At least the pirates of today are often better mannered than those of the 19th Century.

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