BEFORE THE UKRAINE
Yesterday, I stated the only way the events of the Crimean
referindum would pull me away from addressing the issues surounding the GCC was
if the Russians took the next step in their Master Plan in the Ukraine .
Well, if you listened to the Ukrainian spokesman from Kiev today, you might
believe that next phase was underway.
The stories of Russian troop movements into key towns that
support critical infrastructure support to the Crimean started popping up
today, but nobody is really sure how much of this is "hype" and how
much of this is fact.
Again, pictures are worth a thousand words and the pictures
of Russian air assets in key border towns seem to be unavailable.... at least
right now.
So, lets see what tomorrow brings to the world's table and
we shall move on from there.
Now, back to the topic worthy of discussion, at least for
now; the GCC and why it's under pressure.
Several times over the past two or three years, I've
mentioned the issue of the failing relationship between the GCC leaders and the
"West / US".
As I was reading the attached story tonight, a very well written piece by the way, I convinced
myself the time had come to once again comment on the consequences of what
obviously seems to be the new US
policy towards the Middle East .
Again, the simple truth of the matter is, the GCC is
continuing to lose confidence in the relationships with the US and the
West.
As this confidence slides, the comfort level of survival
slides proportionately!
Those who have always been seen as somewhat on the fence are
now being identified as potential enemies.
Is the rift between Qatar and the Saudi government for
real?
You bet it is!
Is this "change" the direct result of the changed US policy towards the Middle
East ?
Is this "rift" a byproduct of the ongoing paranoia
brought on by the Arab Spring.. an Arab Spring that was supported by the West /
US?
Yep!
What the world has
witnessed last week was more than a fracture surfacing in the GCC.
What the world witnessed last week was the destabilization
of the GCC at a time when the stability of the GCC could be fare more destructive
than in the past.
Yes, several of the GCC members have had their differences
in the past, but this is not the 70s and this is not about bragging rights.
The balance of power in the Middle East
is faltering and the policies of the West / US are doing little to stabilize
the pending crisis.
Yes the situation in the Ukraine is dangerous and yes it
could lead to rising tensions between old enemies, but other regions of the
world and the events taking place there cannot be overlooked and what took
place last week with the GCC is a dangerous reminder of that truth.
Again and again, the effects of a decisive leader in the
region / the US
/ changing it's course and doing so with
what appears to be little coordination with "old friends" is having
an impact that many will not be able to predict.
I may very well go back to addressing the events of the
Ukraine by this time tomorrow, but what is taking place in the Middle East must
be addressed.
A weakened, destabilized and fractured GCC will be a prime
target of the Persians and a aggressive Tsar who sees everything going his way.
"Nothing will really change".
If that is the thought process of those who should be
listening, then we all better be ready for other "changes" that will
seem to come right out of the clear blue sky.
