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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rk9lvj4mq
The Changing Status of Israel's Closest Strategic Ally
(Ynet News) Dr. Michael Milstein - This past year has been a reflection of America's diminishing standing in the eyes of many Arab nations after a series of disastrous policy moves, beginning with the hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan, removal of the Houthi rebels in Yemen from the list of terror organizations, and the rushed efforts to renew a nuclear deal with Tehran. There is a perceived indifference in Washington toward attacks targeting Sunni states in the Gulf by Iran and its proxies. Iran has also repeatedly struck American forces in Syria and Iraq. And now, the administration is seeking to elevate Qatar's status as a key regional ally despite its animosity towards neighboring Gulf states and support of terror organizations in the region. The war in Ukraine has increased the distrust of America. The Arab world appears to be unimpressed by Western sanctions imposed on Russia, and is watching NATO's refusal to join the fight. The Sunni Arabs know they have no alternative strategic power to rely on, but recent White House policies make them wonder whether Washington would be willing to offer any assistance to them in times of trouble. The writer, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University, is a senior analyst at the Institute for Policy and Strategy at Reichman University, Herzliya.