Regional Allies

At one time it was no great mystery to whom the United States was referring when it spoke of its Middle East allies; there was one in particular that had the distinction of being a colleague-nation meriting top consideration in all matters from the United States and that was the State of Israel.  Now, a sitting American president refers offhandedly to the State of Israel as "one of our closest allies in the region", leaving the unanswered question: who exactly represents the other closest allies in the region?

Turkey?  Qatar?  Kuwait?  Saudi Arabia?

It cannot be Egypt, since Egypt's once favoured status has been downgraded with President Obama leaving its position rather opaque, speaking of it as a player, but not necessarily any longer a friendly nation.  Which hasn't stopped the U.S. from transferring its usual billions to Egypt, in military support.  Handily overlooking U.S. embassy attacks and frequent torching of American flags, despite his Cairo speech assuring the Muslim world that he is their ally.

What is entirely clear is that the theocracy whose ayatollahs took great pleasure in slapping away President Obama's open hand extended in tentative friendship for a new beginning, with their own closed fist, is not likely to be included within the framework of friendly nations.  America's decades-long sparring with Iran has, if anything, increased under President Obama.

Despite which, this president has allowed the Islamic Republic of Iran to tweak the noble nose of America when and as it suits them and their nuclear agenda.  Even green revolutionaries in Iran were ignored rather than supported.  An untoward turn of events that has turned Israel into a querulous interlocutor enquiring time and again when their great good, powerful ally will be prepared to unequivocally draw that "red line" beyond which Iran may not tread.

To which Mr. Obama responds that he tolerates, but little more, all the bothersome "noise" that erupts from that once-close source.  The daylight that was never to come between the two nations has dawned full and bright. 

 "When it comes to our national security decisions -- any pressure that I feel is simply to do what's right for the American people. And I am going to block out -- any noise that's out there."
President Barack Obama

Well all right then, what precisely will motivate the U.S. to act in the best interests of itself, let alone the broader Middle East, Israel and by extension the world at large?  America's other 'good friends' the Gulf States, for example, wait for the U.S. to act decisively.  Both in the interests of ensuring that Iran does not become nuclear-armed, and in calling its al-Quds presence in Syria unacceptable.

Iran has made it quite clear that should Israel undertake a sole-sourced mission to attempt the obliteration of the Republic's nuclear installations the U.S. will be held equally responsible and its Middle East installations and troops immediately targeted.  That little prod, alongside numerous other threats simply to be absorbed, impudence ignored.

What then will be the response of this president?  At the present time, during the election run-up to the presidential elections in October Mr. Obama is accusing his opponent Republican Mitt Romney of chafing for war in supporting Israel's position.   Winning another presidential term is the name of that game, with each contender having earned a 47% share of voter support.

The sitting President is a known quality; he has professed support for Israel and nuclear-denial for Iran, while holding back on playing the heavy with Iran and allowing his personal dislike of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to colour his country's support for the State of Israel.

If he were in Mr. Netanyahu's existential position he would do precisely as the Israeli President is doing; his utmost to persuade an ally to give full unadulterated support to a project that is in both their best interests.  Issue that ultimatum.