As a result of Obama’s capitulation to Iran, the Sunni Arab states have already formed a coalition, a functioning one, now fighting Iranian proxies in Yemen. The coalition includes Egypt, the UAE, Sudan, Jordan and others. Even Pakistan and Turkey may soon align. The article seems to be asking will they or won’t they, well, they already have.
So, in attempting to isolate Israel, Obama has succeeded in isolating Iran.
Make no mistake, in the new Middle East order that Obama has inadvertently created, the Sunni Arab coalition needs Israel, and vice-versa. Notice how the “Palestinian question” has already moved to the back of the bus.
I’m not sure this is a bad thing.
Yemen is more important than it may seem. The coalition is winning there, for now, without Israel’s involvement, at least overtly. The restoration of Hadi to power in Yemen would be a huge defeat for Iran. Iran cannot be allowed to control both sides of the Strait.
Iran’s military power is vastly overrated. Their Air Force possesses only old and decrepit implements. The Iranian navy is similarly afflicted, nothing but tubs and tiny subs. The Iranian ground forces are formidable, but this does them no good in Yemen. Yemen is a bad place for Iran to make a stand, even through proxies.
Bibi certainly has the green light to attack Iran, but this cannot occur until Yemen is secured.
If Iran gets the $150 billion before the Houthis are defeated, then all bets are off.
And that’s why Val and Barack are in such a hurry to get this deal done.
Yes, Yemen is a very important conflict, getting little attention. I should post up some articles about it. If Netenyahu has a particle of sense, he will stay right away from it.
Syria, of course, is the other proxy war of Gulf Arabs vs Iran.
If they win in Syria, the Christian and minority communities are doomed. If they win in Yemen, then Al Qaida will establish bases in that country. These are victories of evil, not worth having.
There is also the problem of what Israel would really do with such corrupt and venal "allies". They should have won in Syria, long since, the Syrian govt is under international sanctions and is in a weak position. But the opposition forces are very divided and they keep fighting each other.
I think the Palestinians still have a few cards to play. Hamas is getting unusually favourable attention from the Israeli govt at present - this would be due to lobbying from Qatar. And in 2006, when Israel went into Lebanon (again), the Palestinian camps were untouched, and safe from all bombing runs. The Shia and Christian villages copped it good, but the P.A. had worked out an arrangement with the Israelis, and it held. Ein El Hilweh, the huge Palestinian camp in south Lebanon, used to be a punching bag for the Israelis in the 70s and 80s. Not any more, it is a dark powerful fortress - untouchable. Hezbollah keep a fearful distance from them. Israel has created something out of the south Lebanon adventure which will one day bite back.