Israel’s attack in Doha underscores reality for Gulf states: They remain hostage to events

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A uthor: David Mednicoff , UMass Amherst

The oil-rich states of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have a lot going for them: wealth , domestic stability and growing global influence . In recent months, these Gulf kingdoms also appear closer to something they have long sought: reliable U.S. support that has become stronger and more uncritical than ever , just as Iranian power in the region has significantly degraded .

In Donald Trump, the non-elected Gulf Arab monarchs have an ally in Washington who has largely shed previous American concerns for democracy and human rights. That the American president made his first scheduled international tr