America Would Benefit from a Balance of Power in the Persian Gulf

December 31, 2017 Topic: Security Region: Middle East Blog Brand: The Skeptics Tags: SaudiMbSSaudi ArabiaIranAmericaShiaSunniYemenMilitaryWar

America Would Benefit from a Balance of Power in the Persian Gulf

Saudi Arabia's current trajectory is toxic and threatens America’s interests in the Middle East.

Rather than inadvertently aid Iran’s radicals by legitimizing their meme of eternal American hostility, the United States should expand prospective opportunities for a reformed Iran, encouraging political struggle within. And Washington should push the kingdom and UAE to do the same, essentially following the softer line offered by Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. If MbS wants to start a war with Iran, he should know he will be on his own.

During the Cold War Washington’s close embrace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made a certain strategic sense, though the enthusiasm exhibited by American policymakers never did. Today a far more limited, arms-length relationship is needed. Despite acclaim for MbS as a far-sighted reformer, his chief talents appear to be accumulating and abusing power. Perhaps he will mature over time, but American policy should not be dependent on such a transformation.

Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and a former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan. He is the author of Foreign Follies: America’s New Global Empire (Xulon).

Image: Reuters

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