“Tremendous developments in the Middle East have all but ended decades of U.S. meddling in the region,” writes former member of Congress and presidential candidate Ron Paul. “Peace is breaking out ... and Washington is not at all happy about it!”
Reviewing the China-brokered rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the expected return of Syria to the Arab League, and the progress being made on ending the war in Yemen, Paul notes that Washington’s influence is waning. If Saudi Arabia undertakes trade with Syria and Iran — nations under U.S. sanctions — what does that mean about the economic might of the U.S.?
“One by one, as these countries begin ignoring U.S.-demanded sanctions, the entirety of U.S. foreign policy is being exposed as a paper tiger — just bluster and threats.”
Unlike the European and now U.S. policy towards the area, “China has moved into the region with a different policy,” Paul says. “China seeks business partners, not to manipulate the internal politics of the Middle East.”
“If this is the end of U.S. meddling in Middle East affairs,” he concludes, “then ultimately it is a good thing for the American people ... and for peace.”
That’s a big if! A change in U.S. policy will not simply happen on its own, and while new international realities shape the climate for such a shift, courageous leaders within the country must take action. Former U.S. presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich’s offer to assist the Congress in getting to the bottom of Nord Stream is such an example.
