Recently, the U.S. Senate has approved almost unanimously of a bill in which 9/11 victims can sue the Saudi Arabian government in light of the recent news of the Saudi government admitting to wrongdoing in shielding terrorist organizations. This decision remains highly controversial
On the one hand, you have the appeal to patriotism and nationalism. American citizens devastated by the attack and hungry for vengeance would feel some sort of retribution in knowing that it is possible to sue the Saudi-Arabian government. Politicians have adhered to this notion of nationalism and of protecting the integrity of the American dream. It's humorous to note that the only case in which protecting the rights of victims and seeking out justice becomes a primary role in politics is when it involves a terrorist event or some other country, never has a domestic issue been so thoroughly persecuted on the grounds of justice in contemporary political life.
However, one must ask themselves several questions if they wish to advocate for said law. The first being, how would I try this case? It's acceptable within the United States to say that an individual can sue another foreign government, however where would said individual try the case? It would clearly have to be international court, and international trials are much more expensive. There would probably be a higher fee to a lawyer that specializes in international criminal and civil law than the damages reaped by any clear victory in a case. This is also assuming the case would be won, because although the Saudis have admitted to helping terrorist organizations, they have not admitted to any clear wrongdoing or implementation of damages.
The second thing to consider is the notion of U.S. crimes against Middle Eastern governments. If this bill goes through President Obama's veto, would the Middle-Eastern countries therefore make it possible for foreign victims of drone strikes to sue the United States government? The claim lies almost on the same grounds as wrongdoing in the 9/11 attacks. In this case, there is a more direct relationship to damages because government-issued drones are causing the damage and wreaking severe damages to civilians during these bombing runs. It would only be fair to allow the American individual to sue another foreign country and accept the notion at the same time as other foreign individuals suing our own government on the same grounds. In supporting the bill you would also have to advocate for a greater tension between the United States and the Middle East, a relationship that has already been shaky in the past.
