“Perceptions matter whether or not they're rooted in a cold, cold reality. And the perception is very clear that the US is not as committed to the Gulf as it used to be in the views of many people in decision-making authority in the region. From the Saudi point of view, they now see Obama, Trump and Biden - three successive presidents - taking decisions that signify to some extent an abandonment. I think we saw in Biden's statements on Afghanistan, the way he said things that he's clearly going to put US interests first and obviously that came as quite a disappointment to partners and allies around the world who maybe hoped for something different after Trump. He sounds quite similar to an 'America First' approach, just sort of a different tone.”
11 Sep 2021
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