The United States finds that its record of pro-Iran objectives are interfering with getting open and full Arab cooperation in resisting Iran's proxy maritime offensive in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.
When asked whether Arab states or Red Sea states are operating with the American coalition protecting ships from Iran's Houthi allies, the Department of Defense punted:
Yeah, in terms of nations, first, you know, very proud of working with our host nation here, Bahrain, who's publicly proclaimed their support. In terms of other countries, I'd really defer to them to answer on their behalf of their own perspective. That's really a national sovereignty decision. We're respectful of that decision.
At one level, that's understandable given how Moslem countries have people fed anti-Jewish propaganda for generations. That alone would lower the profile until Arab governments can get their people more fully used to fighting alongside Israel rather than against Israel.
Although rabid pro-Hamas advocates hitting the streets in America show that a shift in public opinion won't be fully achieved, I suppose.
In addition to muting support for actions to resist Iran, Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the UAE don't want to openly side with Israel against Iran's Houthi right now:
"Contemporary US foreign policy and its recent defense coalitions and initiatives have placed the national security interests of major historical Gulf allies like KSA and the UAE at a lower priority in favor of regional rivals and their proxies," Bahraini strategic analyst Yusuf Mubarak told Breaking Defense. "[As such] recent Houthi aggression against the global maritime movement is an expected outcome."
Exactly. Democrats looove mullah-run Iran. And our Arab allies don't like that:
Will the Biden administration continue its bizarre courting of America-hating Iranian mullahs at the price of alienating a long-time (if often odious) ally and other friends who don't share the administration's optimism about the potential of mullah-run Iran?
Our Gulf Arab allies watched on helplessly as Biden's brain trust thought candy and flowers had finally calmed their jittery bride's nerves:
U.S. President Joe Biden and his top national security aides believed last summer that the chances of conflict with Iran and its proxies were well contained.
After secret talks, they had just concluded a deal that led to the release of five imprisoned Americans in return for $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds and some Iranian prisoners. The militants that Iran finances and arms — Hamas in the Palestinian territories, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen — seemed relatively quiet. Iran even slowed enrichment of uranium at its underground nuclear sites, delaying its progress toward a weapon.
Oops.
Remember, too, that the Biden administration demonized Saudi Arabia for
fighting the Houthi who now serve Iran by attacking neutral shipping to pressure America into pressuring Israel to stop destroying Hamas. Which might actually be in line with the Biden administration's goals.
You never can tell what American Smart Diplomacy® will look like, I guess.
UPDATE: Germany decided that the enemy of their enemy is their friend:
The German government is no longer concerned over a proposed sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoons jets to Saudi Arabia, following the kingdom’s help intercepting Houthi-fired missiles aimed at Israel, according to German media reports.
Of course, the Saudis have other reasons for not joining a mission that will be carried out without them.
UPDATE: Our pro-Iran policy runs interference for Iran's little pet pitbull set loose at sea:
The Biden administration’s refusal to redesignate Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a terrorist organization is causing tension with U.S. military leaders in the region as they struggle to counter a rise in attacks by the Iran-backed militant group.
I think we should have a Lexington Rule that denies legal protection to areas of a state beyond their ability to police.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: I'm adding updates on the Last Hamas War in this post.
