Why do so? Because, the president points out, the Saudis buy things from America. That is not the basis for sound policy.

An Arab alliance run by America is a truly awful idea. It was bad enough when policymakers could act like they believed Riyadh’s propaganda about the young reforming crown prince. MESA should be abandoned as a serious proposal with MbS’ exposure as a reckless, intolerant dictator. It is one thing to deal with such a ruler when necessary. It is quite another to treat him as a valued and responsible partner.

Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute. A former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author of Foreign Follies: America’s New Global Empire.

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