The "Wall Street Journal" revealed a U.S. message urging Washington's allies in the Gulf to rely on themselves for their security, amid concerns that the United States might leave them to face the repercussions of a conflict with Iran.
The newspaper reported, in a report reviewed by the "News Video Agency," that "officials concerned with regional security received a shocking U.S. message during their meeting in the Qatari capital, Doha, as they prepared for the possibility of a new round of escalation between the United States and Iran, stating that they need to rely on themselves for their security."
The report explained that "Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy of President Donald Trump to Syria and Iraq, stated during the Doha Global Security Forum, an annual summit that gathers senior officials and security experts, that the major understandings that have underpinned global security for decades are undergoing a radical shift, urging Middle Eastern countries and others to secure themselves through regional partnerships."
The newspaper quoted Barrack saying, "The United States, which has played the role of guarantor of world security for the past eighty years, is no longer present in this role," adding that "what is happening under this administration is not a abandonment of allies, but a message calling for realignment."
Barrack indicated that "the arrangements established after World War II, which were based on the United States providing security in exchange for oil, no longer align with Washington's priorities," noting that "Americans do not want to sacrifice their lives for the Middle East, and Gulf states recognize that the United States is no longer able to guarantee their security."
He considered that the region is rightly moving towards smaller and more diverse alliances, such as the new defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, but acknowledged that the transitional phase will witness a period of uncertainty, stating, "We do not have a ready roadmap. We are all acting according to what the moment demands, making our decisions step by step."
The report noted that "officials in the Trump administration issued similar calls for self-reliance during security meetings in Europe and Asia."
According to the newspaper, "Gulf countries unsuccessfully tried to persuade Trump to refrain from waging war on Iran, while Barrack's message comes amid fears of the U.S. withdrawing from the conflict, leaving these countries facing an angry and more aggressive adversary."
It added that "many Gulf states are questioning the feasibility of relying on Washington as a security partner, despite recognizing there are no good alternatives to American military technology and support."
Barrack pointed out that "the war initiated by the United States and Israel in late February led to unforeseen consequences, comparing the Middle East to a Rubik's Cube, where a single move can change the entire picture, emphasizing that there are lessons to be learned and limits to American capabilities."
He continued: "Every time we try to intervene and change the person in power or change the regime, it seems that was a mistake," referring to "Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan."
The newspaper mentioned that "successive American administrations have sought to disengage the U.S. from the Middle East without success, while the Trump administration continues to send mixed messages."
It clarified that "Washington included Saudi Arabia last year in the list of major non-NATO allies, which also includes Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, while Trump continues to muster forces around Iran."
The report stated that "the U.S. military is working to send a third aircraft carrier and an additional unit of Marine expeditionary forces, and is resupplying its forces in anticipation of the potential resumption of combat, while Barrack confirmed: (We are not leaving)."
He indicated that "Trump and Iranian officials are preparing for the possibility of resuming large-scale hostilities after months of diplomatic stalemate," stating that "the escalation of American economic pressures on the Iranian regime has not achieved a breakthrough, while Washington's allies in the region are preparing for a new round of fighting that could target sensitive energy facilities."
The newspaper showed that "Gulf states are watching Saudi Arabia with concern, after attacks using rockets and drones, carried out by Iran-backed Houthi militants, caused damage to energy facilities and the international airport in the capital, Riyadh."
According to the report, "Saudi Arabia appealed to the United States for military intervention, but Trump limited his country’s role to providing intelligence and guidance, while the damage caused by the attacks exacerbated concerns about the region's ability to withstand further attacks, after depleting air defense stocks during previous phases of the war."
For her part, Barbara Leaf, who held a senior position on the Middle East file during former President Joe Biden's administration, observed that "U.S. allies in the region are gradually moving away from relying on it for protection, emphasizing that there are limits to what American withdrawal can achieve."
Leaf added, in remarks she made in Doha, that "these countries are taking many logical steps, such as diversifying security partnerships and sources of defense equipment and armaments."
She continued that "the outcomes of these transformations are not yet clear, nor is the extent to which regional partnerships are suitable for defending countries in the region, stressing that they still need major partners like the United States."
For his part, Ali Vaez, a specialist in Iranian affairs at the International Crisis Group, considered that "the region receiving different messages from American officials undermines the credibility of the United States and pushes countries to hedge against various possibilities."
Vaez added: "Ultimately, the United States will remain influential and engaged in defending the region, but it has clearly proven that its role is insufficient."