February 5, 2014 | Quote
Obama and the Kings
President Obama will go to Saudi Arabia next month to visit with King Abdullah. Also next month, Obama will meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in California. One can only imagine what the monarchs will have to say.
Both countries have spoken publicly and critically about what they see as U.S. retreat from the region and Obama’s weakness in dealing with Iran and its junior partner, Syria. Their concerns have only heightened with the interim deal with Iran and Syria’s slow-walking its disposal of chemical weapons.
Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies tells me, “The Saudis will tell the president what he already knows: that the treatment of Iran as a partner in its own disarmament is eroding the Saudis’ confidence in U.S. foreign policy; that the Saudis are fearful of an Iranian nuclear breakout and are unclear as to whether Washington has its back; that the U.S. decision to choose Iran engagement over the ouster of Assad has left a bitter taste; and that much of the Gulf bloc shares these sentiments.”
The question remains whether anything Obama says will ameliorate their concerns. Unfortunately, the impression of American reticence established over five years and witnessed by our foes and friends alike won’t be undone in private conversations with two Sunni monarchs. Action is what these leaders are looking for. Schanzer suggests that Obama may provide “new arms, defense agreements or other concessions — to shore up Saudi confidence at this delicate moment.” But that doesn’t get to the root of the problem — namely the lack of American resolve, or even presence.