Analyst:

US allies in Middle East turning their back on Trump

The administration of US President Donald Trump and his allies in the Middle East are unlikely to launch a military strike against Iran, as Washington struggles to win its allies’ support to forge a military alliance against Tehran, says an American political analyst.

News ID: 446047

Date: 19 July 2019 - 23:48

RNA - “The US is quickly finding all of its allies, including Iraq, are turning their back on the United States,” said Scott Bennett, a former US military psychological warfare officer.

“I think [President] Donald Trump is smart enough to realize that if he is seen as a president trying to start another war, he’ll be very quickly removed from office and will not work in a second term,” Bennett told Press TV on Thursday.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to send hundreds of troops to Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions with Iran and despite growing criticisms of Washington’s military ties with Riyadh over the regime’s gloomy human rights record.

Citing two US defense officials, CNN reported on Thursday that around 500 troops are expected to be dispatched to the Prince Sultan Air Base, located in a desert area east of the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

They said that a small number of troops and support personnel are already in the air base, with initial preparations being made for a US-made Patriot missile system as well as runway and airfield improvements.

The unnamed US officials said that Washington is expected to fly stealth, fifth-generation F-22 jets and other fighters from the air base.

Bennett said America’s military presence in Saudi Arabia is mainly aimed at controlling the kingdom’s vast oil resources.

“Until the oil disconnect from Saudi Arabia is facilitated, the US will continue to be militarily married to Saudi Arabia, but it will be to its own demise,” Bennett said.

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