How bad is America’s standing among our “friends” in the Middle East? Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in Saudi Arabia and the Obama Administration is just happy to just get a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah. Things have apparently improved because last month Gates offered to come by for a visit and the Saudis said no. And frankly, who can blame them? The Obama Administration dropped long-time ally Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, have waffled on events in Bahrain, and have apparently cut the rug out from under allies in Yemen. If I were the Saudis I would be nervous—and ticked off.
President Obama is well known, as are most American Presidents, for demanding loyalty from his subordinates. Well loyalty is a two-way street, especially in global politics. You can’t keep trying to cozy up to countries like Iran and Venezuela, or Islamists in the streets, while at the same time neglecting or abandoning friends and expect them to be happy about it. Thus far the Obama Administration has played events in the Middle East like a pre-pubescent 5th grade boy who’s got a girlfriend and expects her to hold hands in the lunchroom while he’s flirting with the blond in sixth grade. Actually Obama’s play is even worse. At least the 5th grader knows who the blonde is. In Egypt and most other countries in the region, it’s unclear who the replacement in power will actually be!
It takes a lot of pride and ego to expect this approach to work. It takes just a dash of wisdom to realize that it will probably end badly if you don’t stop.