King Salman made a visit to the United States to discuss urgent political and military concerns with President Obama. Relations between the two countries have been strained due to the Iran nuclear deal and disagreements over the Syrian Civil War crisis. This was not a simple diplomatic meeting, it was a major turning point. There are disagreements, but in regards to Yemen the US and Saudi Arabia seem to have consensus. This meeting signals several foreign policy actions. First, it appears as if the US will arm Saudi Arabia and the country will see a major build up. The US and Saudi Arabia will eventually coordinate some form of regime change in Syria. The Saudi relationship may become more important than relations with Israel, which is becoming more isolated internationally. The US strategy seems to be building up the Saudi Kingdom as balance to Iran. At some point this could be a practice for a war of proxy against the Islamic Republic. These possibilities and scenarios lead to one conclusion: a mass regional war. It some respects it is already occurring.
The major source of contention between bilateral relations is the Syrian Civil War. Saudi Arabia has been extremely active in arming rebels and terrorists seeking Bashir Al-Assad's overthrow. Saudi Arabia's intentions are not about the plight of the Syrian people, but to expand regional power. As a Gulf monarchy, Baathist or Pan-Arabist regimes were considered natural enemies. Hostility directed at Syria is a way to undermine Iran. Both Syria and Iran are allied with one another. Installing a puppet government would certainly work in the favor of Saudi Arabia.
Under King Salman military action has escalated
Just like the US, Saudi Arabia presents its military operations as an act of humanitarianism. The real motive is to stop Arab Spring like regime changes from occurring around its borders. The worst fear is that the Saudi Kingdom would be swept up in rebellion. The monarchy may not have the strength to withstand violent insurrection. This explains intervention in Bahrain. A majority Shia Muslim country that is controlled by an unpopular Sunni Muslim minority was cause for alarm for the kingdom. Saudi Arabia probably wanted the US to send ground troops. The US continues to bomb Northern Syria, claiming it is fighting ISIS. King Salman wants the President to be committed to regime change in Syria. This seems unlikely, after the devastation that happened in Libya. Another presidential administration may be willing to do military strikes, but not this one. The United States still continues to arm rebel factions and terrorists.
Seeing as the United States is no longer willing to do direct invasions, Saudi Arabia will eventually to armed to the highest extent. Traditionally, it was the UK that would do large arms deals with the Saudi Kingdom. King Salman's visit was not just about gaining what it views as security;it was about getting access to US arms. This was a major topic of discussion. The balance of power has shifted in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia wants that shift to be beneficial to it. Increasing military power is a way for Saudis to preserve their rule and become a regional enforcer. The US empowered Israel to become this during the Cold War. It seems as if Israel will be replaced, in favor of Saudi Arabia. Israel and US relations have been strained ever since Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip. That action complicated diplomatic relations with Arab nations. Saudi Arabia is a major financial contributor to reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia like other Arab nations do not approve of Israel. It would be counterproductive to the United States to favor Israel over Arab countries. The US will gradually shift more support for Saudi Arabia, to increase its popularity in the region. The US is regarded negatively by most Arab countries. President Obama wants to reverse this by repairing US-Saudi relations. A friendly gesture was to propose an arms agreement. The only goal is to have the Saudi Kingdom to enforce US foreign policy in the Middle East.
When examining the situation in Yemen, the US and Saudi relationship is still functional. Saudi Arabia has engaged in a war of aggression in an attempt to restore the former government. The Houthi rebels established a government after President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi resigned. There were claims that this was a forced resignation. The truce between the Houthi movement had been broken and war broke out. Such disorder allowed Saudi Arabia to make an excuse for invasion. King Salman's reign is now marked by military aggression and possible territorial expansion. The US will not object to blatant violence, because it has conducted military operations in Yemen as well. Drone strikes directed at Al-qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have caused many civilian causalities. These numbers escalate when Saudi Arabia uses cluster bombs. This was supplied by the United States and exposes the level of contradiction in regards to human rights. King Salman can bomb Yemen, while Bashir Al-Assad is castigated for fighting an armed insurrection. Yemen was part of the agenda when the King visited Washington. The general consensus is that Yemen's current government will be replaced.
The Iran nuclear agreement has been a source of schism. Saudi Arabia does not want to see a powerful Iran. Nuclear weapons would only increase its leverage in regional affairs. King Salman stated that they would accept this new agreement. This may not be entirely honest. President Obama reassured the monarch that the US is willing to defend the kingdom. This has been an unwritten agreement since the first Gulf War. The US provides some level of security by having bases in Saudi Arabia.There has been a change in course. Now, Saudi Arabia will act unilaterally or in some cases with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. King Salman could decide to act unilaterally and attack Iran. While this poses levels of risks, a militarily powerful Saudi Kingdom would do so. Other Gulf monarchies could join. If Iran were to acquire a nuclear weapon, the US fears this could start an arms race. This only adds to complications in a web of intricate rivalries and alliances.Israel may strike before Saudi Arabia. Iran and Israel are the most powerful countries in the region and Saudi Arabia wants to dislodge both. This means the Saudi monarchy has no desire to see a successful nuclear agreement, because that would remove Iran's pariah status. Keeping Iran isolated internationally and economically allows Saudi Arabia to have an advantage. King Salman's method is to undermine Iran, provide financial support to Gaza to challenge Israel, and to have an aggressive Saudi military presence throughout the Middle East. Getting President Obama's auspices legitimized his aggressive campaigns in Yemen, Syria, and the operations in Bahrain. It is unclear where these policies will lead to, but at present there are devastating repercussions.
Seeing as the United States is no longer willing to do direct invasions, Saudi Arabia will eventually to armed to the highest extent. Traditionally, it was the UK that would do large arms deals with the Saudi Kingdom. King Salman's visit was not just about gaining what it views as security;it was about getting access to US arms. This was a major topic of discussion. The balance of power has shifted in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia wants that shift to be beneficial to it. Increasing military power is a way for Saudis to preserve their rule and become a regional enforcer. The US empowered Israel to become this during the Cold War. It seems as if Israel will be replaced, in favor of Saudi Arabia. Israel and US relations have been strained ever since Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip. That action complicated diplomatic relations with Arab nations. Saudi Arabia is a major financial contributor to reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia like other Arab nations do not approve of Israel. It would be counterproductive to the United States to favor Israel over Arab countries. The US will gradually shift more support for Saudi Arabia, to increase its popularity in the region. The US is regarded negatively by most Arab countries. President Obama wants to reverse this by repairing US-Saudi relations. A friendly gesture was to propose an arms agreement. The only goal is to have the Saudi Kingdom to enforce US foreign policy in the Middle East.
When examining the situation in Yemen, the US and Saudi relationship is still functional. Saudi Arabia has engaged in a war of aggression in an attempt to restore the former government. The Houthi rebels established a government after President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi resigned. There were claims that this was a forced resignation. The truce between the Houthi movement had been broken and war broke out. Such disorder allowed Saudi Arabia to make an excuse for invasion. King Salman's reign is now marked by military aggression and possible territorial expansion. The US will not object to blatant violence, because it has conducted military operations in Yemen as well. Drone strikes directed at Al-qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have caused many civilian causalities. These numbers escalate when Saudi Arabia uses cluster bombs. This was supplied by the United States and exposes the level of contradiction in regards to human rights. King Salman can bomb Yemen, while Bashir Al-Assad is castigated for fighting an armed insurrection. Yemen was part of the agenda when the King visited Washington. The general consensus is that Yemen's current government will be replaced.
The Iran nuclear agreement has been a source of schism. Saudi Arabia does not want to see a powerful Iran. Nuclear weapons would only increase its leverage in regional affairs. King Salman stated that they would accept this new agreement. This may not be entirely honest. President Obama reassured the monarch that the US is willing to defend the kingdom. This has been an unwritten agreement since the first Gulf War. The US provides some level of security by having bases in Saudi Arabia.There has been a change in course. Now, Saudi Arabia will act unilaterally or in some cases with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. King Salman could decide to act unilaterally and attack Iran. While this poses levels of risks, a militarily powerful Saudi Kingdom would do so. Other Gulf monarchies could join. If Iran were to acquire a nuclear weapon, the US fears this could start an arms race. This only adds to complications in a web of intricate rivalries and alliances.Israel may strike before Saudi Arabia. Iran and Israel are the most powerful countries in the region and Saudi Arabia wants to dislodge both. This means the Saudi monarchy has no desire to see a successful nuclear agreement, because that would remove Iran's pariah status. Keeping Iran isolated internationally and economically allows Saudi Arabia to have an advantage. King Salman's method is to undermine Iran, provide financial support to Gaza to challenge Israel, and to have an aggressive Saudi military presence throughout the Middle East. Getting President Obama's auspices legitimized his aggressive campaigns in Yemen, Syria, and the operations in Bahrain. It is unclear where these policies will lead to, but at present there are devastating repercussions.
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