The Gulf needs policies, not reassurances
The Gulf needs policies, not reassurances
Comment: The US needs to start implementing ideas that support regional stability, argues Marwan Kabalan.
2 min read
05 May, 2015
Gulf leaders should demand Washington helps stabilise the region [Getty]
US President Barack Obama has invited leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council to a summit in Camp David on May 13.
The invitation is part of the US administration's efforts to dispel the fears of Arab Gulf countries about the nuclear deal expected to be reached between Iran and the P5+1 nations by the end of June.
However, Arab Gulf states have little to fear - as it is unlikely Iran will develop a nuclear weapons programme.
Arab Gulf leaders know the Obama administration will not allow Iran to dominate the Gulf, and threaten its own position in the region.
Arab Gulf countries feel threatened by Iran's regional policies, which many believe to be stoking sectarianism. The US has focused on the Iranian nuclear issue to protect Israel, while ignoring Iran's other activities in the region.
Iran and its militias have significant influence in Iraq. After the US withdrew, Obama turned a blind eye to the sectarian policies of then-Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. This stalled efforts to rebuild the state, strengthened militias, and led to the spread of sectarianism and the growing influence of the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis).
US policy towards Syria has been similarily destructive. Over the past four years, the Obama administration has used Syria to apply pressure on Iran, and encourage it to make concessions over the nuclear issue.
In Yemen, the US has focused on fighting al-Qaeda and ignored the growing influence of the Houthis.
Iran, manwhile, has focused on dividing Arab societies, and creating militias that further its goals. The US is trying to create a Sunni-Shia balance of power to contain these two groups and counteract regional actors, even if it creates more destruction and chaos in the region.
At the Camp David meeting, Arab Gulf leaders should demand the US adopts policies that support regional stability.
Marwan Kabalan is a Syrian academic and writer.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of al-Araby al-Jadeed, its editorial board or staff.
The invitation is part of the US administration's efforts to dispel the fears of Arab Gulf countries about the nuclear deal expected to be reached between Iran and the P5+1 nations by the end of June.
However, Arab Gulf states have little to fear - as it is unlikely Iran will develop a nuclear weapons programme.
Arab Gulf leaders know the Obama administration will not allow Iran to dominate the Gulf, and threaten its own position in the region.
 |
The US will not allow Iran to dominate the Gulf, and threaten its own position in the region. |
Arab Gulf countries feel threatened by Iran's regional policies, which many believe to be stoking sectarianism. The US has focused on the Iranian nuclear issue to protect Israel, while ignoring Iran's other activities in the region.
Iran and its militias have significant influence in Iraq. After the US withdrew, Obama turned a blind eye to the sectarian policies of then-Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. This stalled efforts to rebuild the state, strengthened militias, and led to the spread of sectarianism and the growing influence of the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis).
US policy towards Syria has been similarily destructive. Over the past four years, the Obama administration has used Syria to apply pressure on Iran, and encourage it to make concessions over the nuclear issue.
In Yemen, the US has focused on fighting al-Qaeda and ignored the growing influence of the Houthis.
Iran, manwhile, has focused on dividing Arab societies, and creating militias that further its goals. The US is trying to create a Sunni-Shia balance of power to contain these two groups and counteract regional actors, even if it creates more destruction and chaos in the region.
At the Camp David meeting, Arab Gulf leaders should demand the US adopts policies that support regional stability.
Marwan Kabalan is a Syrian academic and writer.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of al-Araby al-Jadeed, its editorial board or staff.
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