Now lets look at this from a "strictly business" perspective.
China is our largest trading partner. They ship all kinds of things to us in container ships. It would make sense that they would wish to have a financial stake in our ports. I don't like the fact that the Chinese manage the ports any more than the UAE, but at least it makes business sense.
The parallel to this would be Arab nations wanting stakes in US oil companies. What better investment opportunity than to buy into a business where you control the pricing of the product and can in a sense integrate vertically and become the Wal-mart of the oil world?
...but no. Muslim investors are interested in our ports, and in businesses that make sensitive parts for military aircraft and tanks.
Uh, Muslim investors bought the Essex House, a luxury hotel in New York, from Marriott (UAE investors, BTW). And a shopping mall in the Midwest.
Do you look under your bed at night to make sure an Arab isn't under it?
Very interesting observation, Old_Mil... The objective should be to "sweetly" disengage. Bush said as much concerning oil... He wanted to break away from the need of doing business to those hostile to American values. And now here he is handing over ports.
Of course the experts will give it a spin and a spit shine, but those people have nothing but contempt for the values of the USA. Disengage, don't get involved.
Religious considerations (which others will label as "emotional") are of the essence in this case. They do not have separation of church and state, so willy-nilly we must examine their religion to truly understand their politics.
"Slay them weherever you find them? Besiege them? Make them pay a jizya tax? Chop off all their fingertips?"
These are people who don't even know the deterrence of their own lives. They support suicide. If there must be trade, you keep it fair and distant, you do not become dependent.
How does one trust these people?
The Americans don't. Now they are going to be satisfied by the promises of bureaucrats?.
Bah!