What Should the United States’ Role be in the Middle East? ~ Peace Worldwide

The Saudi-led coalition, supported by the United States and Israel, continues its devastating aerial attacks on the impoverished Yemen. The unprovoked assault is in clear violation of the UN Charter. According to the UN Yemen envoy Jamal Benomar, Yemeni factions were close to a negotiation before the Saudi-led intervention.

When Yemenis asserted their sovereignty in 2015, Saudi Arabia expanded its savagery of bloodbath that began in 18th century under the banner of Wahhabism into Yemen. After two years subjecting Yemen to genocidal attacks, Yemen has demonstrated to the world the example of courage, determination, and resistance.

Wahhabism is the official religion of Saudi Arabia. It totally rejects religious freedom. It is a radical interpretation of Sunni-Islam that consider all other Muslims and adherents of other religions infidels, deserving death. Wahhabi history is engulfed with bloodbath and its ideology has inspired al-Qaeda, al-Nusrat, Taliban, Boko Haram, and Daesh (aka ISIS). Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar, has provided financial and logistic support to terrorist groups, including ISIS. In the 9/11 tragedy, 15 of the 19 terrorists were Saudis.

To rationalize its support of the absolute monarchies that back terrorism and commit genocide, the United States denigrates Iran, labels it supporting terrorists, and condemns its support of the besieged Yemen. In reality, Iran remains the only state standing against the Wahhabi terrorism in the region, not only in Yemen but also in both Iraq and Syria. The United States talks tough but supports states like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that clandestinely support terrorist groups like ISIS. If the United States is truly interested in peace, it should be standing by Iran against the terrorists.

The United States, a symbol of democracy, could assume responsibility by refraining from arming the states like Saudi Arabia but persuading them to liberalize and work towards peace in the Middle East.

Put aside the controversial Israel, Iran remains the only country in the region with appreciable protected Jewish and Christian communities. Iranians participate in their election in record numbers to the envy of many Western democracies. Iranian president tweets Rosh Hashanah and Christmas greetings. For more information, read an article by Major Danny Sjursen, a US Army strategist and former history instructor at West Point, "Stop Vilifying Iran".

The United States, a symbol of democracy, could assume responsibility by refraining from arming the states like Saudi Arabia but persuading them to liberalize and work towards peace in the Middle East.