GULF STATES DEMAND WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH WASHINGTON

Some Gulf Arab states are pursuing a written agreement with Washington that could primarily provide defense support after an escalation in attacks from fighters in Yemen on the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The oil exporters are ideally seeking a formal treaty with the U.S. as they attempt to redraw a decades-old relationship at a time of broad geopolitical upheaval, people familiar with the proposal said. One said that bilateral defense agreements that are expanded and revised over time might also be an option.

The people pointed to a pact that the UAE has with France as a possible model. That was revived after a deadly attack on the UAE capital Abu Dhabi by Yemeni fighters from the Iranian-backed Houthi group in January, with Paris deploying Rafale fighter jets to protect UAE airspace.

The UAE is one of the countries seeking the agreement, the people said. Saudi Arabia is also pursuing the guarantees, and the UAE has been asking Israel to help push the case, according to people familiar with the discussions on both sides.

By NC ScoutPublished On: March 31, 2022Categories: AP Staff, News and Links1 Comment

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .