(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - Is there a connection between the hasty U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the significant escalation in attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen? Many Arab political analysts and writers are convinced that the flawed handling of the crisis in Afghanistan has emboldened various extremist Islamic groups, including the Houthis, who are now threatening Washington's Arab friends and allies. The main concern for the Arabs is that the "humiliating" manner in which the U.S. ended its presence in Afghanistan has sent a message to Iran and its proxies that the Americans are not only weak, but that they cannot be trusted to support or defend their allies. The Houthis appear to be telling themselves: If the U.S. is so weak, perhaps this is the right time to step up the attacks on Saudi Arabia. So far, the U.S. has failed to take a tough stance against the increased Houthi attacks on the Saudi kingdom.
2021-09-15 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive