Obama to host anxious Gulf leaders at Camp David--Middle East Eye
Obama to host anxious Gulf leaders at Camp David
When he meets with Gulf leaders next week, Obama will attempt to soothe tensions over nuclear talks with Iran, among other issues
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Strikes like those on the airport at Aden - which Gulf officials say was necessary to stop Iranian weapons deliveries - have prompted humanitarian outrage. Around 1,200 people have been killed, many of them civilians.
As an olive branch, Obama could use Camp David to help give Saudi Arabia's new leader - as well as his son and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who has become intertwined in the operation - a path to save face.
US support for a "humanitarian pause" in Saudi military operations, backing for talks leading to a unity government and cleaving wealthy former Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh away from the Houthis could all help Saudi Arabia.
Wish list of weapons
Gulf leaders will also come with a wish list of weapons to counter the threat from Iran.
Officials say the visitors will seek advanced US weapons systems including F-35 stealth fighters to help establish an Arab "qualitative military edge" as Iran grows its advanced missile capabilities.
Russia recently agreed to sell Iran the S-300 air defence missile system capable of shooting down fighters currently used by Gulf states.
US backing for Saudi or Emirati nuclear programmes are off the table, but missile defence is not.
But diplomats warn that with existing US military commitments to Israel, Japan, Egypt and Turkey, determining who gets what weapons and when, while maintaining a favourable military balance, will be fraught.
Experts also point out that Arab states face an asymmetric threat, and militarily would probably be better served by strengthening troop numbers and developing more mechanised units rather than gaining more high-tech weaponry that already outguns Iran.
Managing the balance of power at the same time as keeping Gulf allies close and Iran talks on track will mean that for Obama, the Camp David meeting will be anything but a pleasant walk in the woods.
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