http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/price...-1.3617688

"...Now we stood on the sidelines. My friends noted the contrast with the Russians, who had stood by the Assad regime, and secured it. Small wonder, I was told, that for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, the king had just visited Moscow. No doubt, they said, he had gone “to hedge his bets and to take account of the new Russian role in the region.”

Everyone in the region now knew that if their security was threatened, Moscow was the place to look for help. Even the Israelis get this. “Look,” I was told, “how many times Netanyahu has gone to Moscow.”
Over two days of discussion, I repeatedly heard about the gap between American rhetoric and actions in the region. One of the participants even said, “At least Obama told us he was not going to do anything.”
We need not accept these arguments. But we cannot ignore or dismiss this growing perception in the region."

(11-09-2017 11:20 AM)bullet Wrote:  http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/price...-1.3617688

"...Now we stood on the sidelines. My friends noted the contrast with the Russians, who had stood by the Assad regime, and secured it. Small wonder, I was told, that for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, the king had just visited Moscow. No doubt, they said, he had gone “to hedge his bets and to take account of the new Russian role in the region.”

Everyone in the region now knew that if their security was threatened, Moscow was the place to look for help. Even the Israelis get this. “Look,” I was told, “how many times Netanyahu has gone to Moscow.”
Over two days of discussion, I repeatedly heard about the gap between American rhetoric and actions in the region. One of the participants even said, “At least Obama told us he was not going to do anything.”
We need not accept these arguments. But we cannot ignore or dismiss this growing perception in the region."

The worst thing to be in the Middle East for the last decade plus was a friend of America. This goes back further - at least to Vietnam. Look where the South Vietnamese are... the Shah of Iran...

The South Koreans, Kuwaitis, and probably numerous examples in South America stand in contrast, but allying with America tends to get you on the wrong side of your neighbors with tepid, limited support from America in the end.

IMO, is one of the greatest cross-administration blunders since the democrats and republicans both were monkey humping a football when it came to Vietnam.

I should add that this is the price of fighting wars without the intent to win, as per Owl 69/70/75's mantra...

This is also a byproduct of trying to be the world's policeman. You will always be the bad cop in the end.