Posted on 01/23/2017 7:07:34 AM PST by mandaladon
DUBAI (Reuters) – Gulf Arab states are quietly applauding the arrival in the White House of a hawkish leader opposed to their adversary Iran, even if they suspect Donald Trump’s short temper and abrasive Tweets may at times heighten tensions in the combustible Middle East.
While many countries around the world listened with concern to his protectionist inaugural address, Gulf Arab officials appear optimistic. They see in Trump a strong president who will shore up Washington’s role as their main strategic partner in a region central to U.S. security and energy interests.
In Gulf Arab eyes, that involves above all checking what they see as a surge of Iranian support for paramilitary allies in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon and for fellow Shi’ite Muslims in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing Eastern Province.
It also means overlooking for now rhetoric about uniting “the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism” in an address that critics said echoed George W. Bush’s “crusade” against terrorism, a phrase which, for Muslims, evokes barbarous campaigns by medieval Christians against Islam.
Saudi Arabia in particular appears relieved at the departure of Barack Obama, who it felt considered Riyadh’s alliance with Washington less important than negotiating a deal in 2015 to neutralize Iran’s nuclear program.
The relationship is a pillar of the Middle East’s security balance. But it has suffered since Riyadh took issue with what it saw as Obama’s withdrawal from the region, and a perceived inclination towards Iran since the 2011 Arab uprisings.
(Excerpt) Read more at oann.com ...
“Perception is important: Trump does not look like the kind of guy who will bend towards Iran or anyone else,” said Abdulrahman al-Rashed, a veteran Saudi commentator.
“If he behaves as he says, then we will see another Ronald Reagan, someone all the forces in the region will take seriously. That’s what we have missed in the past eight years, unfortunately.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We Americans have missed that too...
Problem:
Putin is a huge supporter of Iran. If Trump gets tough with Iran, Putin may ditch his friendship with Trump.
Just sayin’.
But, but I thought moving the embassy to Jerusalem was going to make enemies of all the Arab countries.
The world has changed.
Our blood and treasure will not be traded for campaign contributions even if it's under the guise of ‘charity to Foundations’, speeches, selling books no one will read etc etc etc....
It's a new day...
The world has changed.
Our blood and treasure will not be traded for campaign contributions even if it's under the guise of ‘charity to Foundations’, speeches, selling books no one will read etc etc etc....
It's a new day...
I think the treason, treachery and shake-down policy of zero and HRC is going to shock Somali pirates when/as it’s uncovered.
“We’re NOT going to fight wars for rich Saudis in exchange for ‘cash for speeches’ for corrupt liberal elites, military contractors, GOPE types etc.”
The Saudis and Israel are in collusion.
http://fpif.org/israel-saudi-arabia-strange-bedfellows-new-middle-east/
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/06/israeli-saudi-relations/395015/
No more blood and treasure. No more manipulation. Not a single fingernail of our military personnel is worth wasting on these foreign intrigues.
I agree - with the exception of ISIS... we can take them out. From here on out let the Sauds buy someone's else's army.
“Putin is a huge supporter of Iran.”
I think Putin is a huge supporter of Russia. If Iran no longer serves that interest, he’ll toss it like yesterday’s trash.
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