Saudi Donations Tainted for Clinton Foundation, Tainted for Middle East Studies

Alwaleed Center for Muslim Christian Understanding

Some are upset that the Clinton Foundation accepted donations from Middle Eastern countries with terrible records on women's rights. In "Hillary Clinton Faces Test of Record as Women's Advocate," the New York Times writes:

Saudi Arabia has been a particularly generous benefactor to the Clinton Foundation, giving at least $10 million since 2001, according to foundation disclosures. At least $1 million more was donated by Friends of Saudi Arabia, co-founded by a Saudi Prince.

Will we see similar concern over the far greater amounts ($25 million each) donated by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal to fund Middle East studies centers at Georgetown and Harvard, or the $25 million King Fahd Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies at the U. of Arkansas, or millions more donated by Gulf countries over the past several decades? If such money is tainted when it flows into the Clinton's coffers, surely there's no reason to assume it's pure when it funds Middle East studies at American universities. In both cases, their wealth is buying influence and access.