Source: Arab Center Washington DC
Author(s): Charles W. Dunne
Original Link: http://arabcenterdc.org/policy_analyses/saudi-emirati-egyptian-alliance-steering-us-middle-east-policy/
The landscape of regional politics in the Middle East is in many ways more fluid than ever before, brought on, in large measure, by disorganized policymaking in Washington. Former President Barack Obama started the trend with his highly touted “pivot to Asia,” which diverted some American political attention from the region at a time of growing unrest. It also helped to alienate longstanding allies and create a policy vacuum that many actors, including Russia and Iran, proved eager to fill. President Donald Trump entered office promising to withdraw from Middle East conflicts and focused instead on pushing high-dollar business deals. Regional authoritarians were happy to promise him stability and flattery in exchange for a free hand and an iron fist in ruling their countries.
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