Arms Sales and Peace in the Middle East

This article caught my attention over at RealClearWorld.com.

To sum it up, it details the pending sale of arms to Saudi Arabia as part of a new US policy to build up regional alliances to counter an Iranian threat. It also makes mention of the initial Israeli hostility to such a sale, fearing that the US weapons could be used against Israel, rather than Iran. However, Israel has backed down its opposition in the face of a new Iranian threat, which it apparently deems far greater.

So it has occurred to me that the latest US solution to the middle eastern problem is to create a common enemy and a sort of little entente in the middle east to counter what it regards as a threat to its interests abroad.

However things aren't so pleasant in the middle east for such a 'little entente' to work out so smoothly. Recently, US-Turkish relations are souring over issues like the recent flotilla incident and the recurring Armenian Genocide bill. And in Iraq, the situation is threatening to prevent US withdrawal, after all, does the United States truly want a weak neighbor on the border with Iran? In order to prevent the problem which plagued the original Little Entente, the USA is going to need to have strong nations to work with towards a common goal, as seen with the recent strengthening of Saudi Arabia. But pulling out of Iraq too early could prove fatal and provoke conflict between the two nations which have a past. It is certainly a juggling act the USA has taken on, but whether or not it will pay off remains to be seen.

U.S. and Israeli war ships headed to Iran?

Egypt allowed at least one Israeli and 11 American warships to pass through the Suez Canal as an Iranian flotilla approaches Gaza. Egypt closed the canal to protect the ships with thousands of soldiers, according to the British-based Arabic language newspaper Al Quds al-Arabi.

One day prior to the report on Saturday, Voice of Israel government radio reported that the Egyptian government denied an Israeli request not to allow the Iranian flotilla to use the Suez Canal to reach Gaza, in violation of the Israeli sea embargo on the Hamas-controlled area.

More here...

Russia agrees on Sanctions for Iran?

Calling Iran's nuclear stance "irresponsible, Russia's president said Iran's leadership needs to heed an international community now in agreement on sanctions against that country, a Russian state news agency reported.

"Nobody wants sanctions," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters on Saturday during a visit to Germany, where he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel. "But in some cases, it is necessary to agree on them."

More here...

My comments: There's been speculation as to whether the Obama admin has come to some sort of agreement with Russia regarding western expansion in Eastern Europe (Namely Ukraine) in exchange for support for a tougher stance on Iran. Russia's new position is certainly a change from their previous talk, indicating there was some sort of deal/arrangement struck.