29 Mar 2024
Saturday 27 May 2017 - 10:12
Story Code : 262585

Washington's plan to create Arab NATO against Iran doomed to fail

Sputnik - Washington's plans aimed at creating a Saudi-led military alliance in the Middle East are unlikely to be implemented, political commentator and expert on Syria Husnu Mahalli told Sputnik Turkey.




"This project, if carried out, would lead toconfusion sincesome forces would be targeted againstthe others. Libya is a fine example. Libya is a 100 percent Sunni country. All warring factions inLibya are Sunnis. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates provide support tosome ofthese militias, while Bahrain and Saudi Arabia assist other forces. Turkey and Qatar back the third group, withItaly supporting the rest. My guess is that this plan is going tofail, taking intoaccount my 40 years ofexperience covering Muslim nations, including the Arab world," he said.


Earlier this year, reports emerged indicating that the Trump administration was intalks withits key allies inthe Middle East, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, tocreate a regional military alliance toostensibly counter Iran's influence.


The new coalition, if created, is expected toadopt a collective response clause, mimicking NATO's Article 5. The bloc would also share intelligence withIsrael. However, neither Washington, nor Tel Aviv would become its formal members.

President Trump also floated this idea last week duringhis visit toSaudi Arabia. While inRiyadh, he urged Muslim leaders tocreate "a coalition ofnations who share the aim ofstamping outextremism and providing our children a hopeful future."

"We have also started discussions withmany ofthe countries present today onstrengthening partnerships, and forming new ones, toadvance security and stability acrossthe Middle East and beyond," he said duringa key speech.

Mahalli described Trump's visit toSaudi Arabia asa "victory" forthe oil kingdom.

"It is hard tosay what Trump achieved bysigning a $110 billion arms deal withthe Saudis," he said. "During the election campaign Trump promised totackle unemployment. Is he planning todo that byestablishing weapon production facilities here? Such activities onthe part ofthe US administration are quite controversial. It remains tobe seen how the US would benefit fromthis, butit is undoubtedly inthe interests ofSaudi Arabia."

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