Feeling jilted
Obama’s attempt to broker a deal with Iran makes the Gulf rulers feel insecure. If the deal which is to be signed next month is finalised it will help Iran come in from the cold. What further worries the Gulf rulers is that billions of Iran’s dollars frozen after international sanctions will be released. The Gulf rulers feel jilted. Obama’s invitation for a six-plus-one summit at Camp David drew only two heads of government, the others were represented by their seconds-in-command. Obama offered missile shield, promised authorising US military force if their security was endangered by Shi’a Iran or anyone else, but all this failed to placate his guests. Saudi Arabia and many of the smaller Arab states are now vowing to match whatever nuclear enrichment capability Iran is permitted to retain. Are these countries really serious?
The US and Gulf rulers are tied to each other with several bonds. The US as a super power has been the major supplier of arms to the Gulf kingdoms. It came to their rescue when Saddam Hussain’s army invaded Kuwait. During the Arab Spring the US refused to support democratic struggles in Yemen and Bahrain and kept its eyes shut to the atrocities by the rulers. While US lectures Iran and Syria on human rights, it conveniently looks the other way when some of the worst infringements of human rights take place in Saudi Arabia. The Gulf states have helped the US in return. Bahrain is home to US Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet. The US 64th Air Expeditionary Group is stationed in Saudi Arabia. The ties may not allow the two sides to drift apart.
Most probably the urge for nuclear toys is a way to pressurise the US. In case the Gulf rulers really become serious about them Pakistan will feel stronger pressures for help, far outstripping the ones exerted on it to join the Yemen war. Islamabad made the right decision then, it must be ready to say no again.
