Amid a banking crisis, the war in Ukraine, multiple train derailments, inflation, the situation at the border, and gas problems, there is a new problem.
Saudia Abrabi and Iran are getting friendly again, and it is shaking things up.
From Politico:
News of the rapprochement between long-time regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran sent shock waves through the Middle East and dealt a symbolic blow to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has made the threat posed by Tehran a public diplomacy priority and personal crusade.
The breakthrough — a culmination of more than a year of negotiations in Baghdad and more recent talks in China — also became ensnared in Israel’s internal politics, reflecting the country’s divisions at a moment of national turmoil.
The UAE has also joined the Saudis in resuming formal relations with Iran, which is shifting the balance of power in the Middle East.
“It’s a blow to Israel’s notion and efforts in recent years to try to form an anti-Iran bloc in the region,” said Yoel Guzansky, an expert on the Persian Gulf at the Institute for National Security Studies. “If you see the Middle East as a zero-sum game, which Israel and Iran do, a diplomatic win for Iran is very bad news for Israel.”
Joint Trilateral Statement by the Kingdom of #Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of #Iran, and the People’s Republic of #China. pic.twitter.com/MyMkcGK2s0
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) March 10, 2023
This should send alarm bells, and here is what our President had to say:
Reporter: Mr. President, what are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia and Iran reestablishing diplomatic relations, sir?
President Biden: The better the relations between Israel and the — their Arab neighbors, the better for everybody.
“What are your thoughts on Saudi Arabia and Iran re-establishing diplomatic relations?”
BIDEN: “The better the relations between Israel and their Arab neighbors, the better for everybody.” 🤔 pic.twitter.com/egDiRDwJwV
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 13, 2023
Yes, you heard and read that right.
Oh, and as of the writing of this post, the White House did not censor the official transcript.
