The Gulf states. They gave their “final warning” but are still too terrified of Iran to actually attack their big neighbor.
Iran from the get-go started attacking its neighbors with drones and missiles. According to CENTCOM, twelve countries have been attacked by Iran—including NATO member Turkey and EU state, Cyprus (via Hezbollah). Since the beginning of the conflict, leaders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Iranian neighbors have threatened revenge for attacks on their energy infrastructure, airports, and downtown buildings. These countries all have US hardware, including advanced fighters. They also keep a lot of Iranian money moving, and were they to freeze it, Iran would be totally screwed. But the Gulf countries are too afraid to do more than fight off missiles and drones, which they are doing with some level of success. CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper praised the Gulf states for their partnership and for fighting off attacks. He made no mention of offensive action by any of these countries.
Qatar, Iran’s “sister”, has seen a potion of one of its important gas fields go up in flames. The toothless leadership held a press conference in which it begged Iran not to hit its energy infrastructure again. It gurgled on about how Qatar’s energy helps poor people throughout the globe, and how we all know who (ISRAEL) is the real beneficiary of any continued attacks. Qatar has over 100 fighters, including Typhoons and F-15s. Why don’t they get their flyboys up in the air and attack Iran? There are several reasons. Firstly, as is the custom in the region, they are cowards. They will throw a lot of money to fund Hamas and other terrorists, but they themselves are pusillanimous weaklings. Next, anyone who fights against Iran is a de facto partner with Israel. Even if the pilots and commanders never communicate with Israelis, Iran would say that Qatar is a Zionist stooge. Ditto for the other Gulf countries that seem to make no effort to give it back to Iran for their drone and missile attacks that have led to death, destruction, and economic pain. The Saudis effectively said that if you do that again, we’ll be forced to respond. Of course, they won’t respond, even though the Saudis boast over 200 F-15s of various makes and another 150 non-American fighters. Why aren’t they dominating the skies over Iran and giving it back for the damage caused to their kingdom? Because Jew hatred trumps all.
Do you recall how Daddy Bush browbeat Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Shamir not to send fighters to root out Iraqi SCUD launchers firing missiles at the Jewish state? TV of the day showed Israeli pilots sleeping in their planes and awaiting the green light to find the launchers. Bush knew that Syria and other Arab states would bolt his coalition if the Jooz got involved. So, he promised to find the launchers with US assets, just keep your planes on the ground. Israel absorbed 39 SCUD attacks during Desert Storm. Fast forward to today, where Israel was in the opening salvo with the US. How can the Saudis and their brethren come into the war, when Islamic preachers the world over will say that the Gulf countries have become Zionist supporters? So, they absorb drones and missiles, put out threatening statements, hold emergency meetings, and then do nothing. When they retire, they should go into university administration.
I read a story a long time ago related to the creation of the state of Israel. There was a Saudi pipeline that ran through the new state on its way to Turkey. Israel sent word to the Saudis that they would leave the pipeline alone and not interfere with its use. The Saudis cut off the pipeline and never used it again. During Desert Storm, a US senator traveled to the kingdom to evaluate the war from up close. As he had an Israeli stamp in his US passport, the Saudis would not let him into the country. The local embassy had to whip together a new passport in order to get the senator into the place being saved by American forces. So, do you understand how much these people hate Jews? Sure, the Saudis now let Israeli flights over their territory and there were reports that one of Bibi’s closest advisors was in Riyadh recently. Yeah, team. But in the end, they would rather have their hotshot fliers sit on their hands and not help Israel, even if they are helping themselves. At least Kuwait got F-18s up and one shot down three US F-15E’s. Was it intentional? Where are the USS Liberty Truthers?
I have enormous respect for the Muslim leaders who bucked hundreds of years of Jew hate to join the Abraham Accords. I have mentioned that we visited Dubai and were treated respectfully and cordially. We did not take it as a given. There is enormous pressure on Muslim leaders and states not to be seen as being too friendly with Jews and Israel. There were cases in the recent past where Israeli athletes were denied participation in international competitions in some of these countries, or had to remove their flags or would not have Hatikvah played after a gold medal victory. While Israelis can go to Dubai and enjoy a very advanced and safe country, it was only a few years ago that Israeli agents killed a top Hamas money mover and the Dubai police swore to track down those involved. Can Oman, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia forget about Israel and give the Iranians a punch back for all of the destruction that the IRGC has sent their way? Mojtaba Khameini has become Joe Biden: a puppet run by others.
The problem for the Gulf states is that they aren’t ready to buy into a better Iran after the shooting is over. If there is some element of the regime still in charge, they will have to get along with it. The Iranians use their neighbors to move all of their money banned by the international banking system. If Iran were to pull its dough, we might find that the Gulf monarchs aren’t as rich as we think they are. Also, they could have to invest enormously in protecting their relatively sprawling energy infrastructure. It’s easier for them to let Israel and the US take Iran apart, and if things aren't a super success after the US carriers go home, they can always say that they never took part in offensive activity. “We just knocked out your drones and missiles. We never attacked you. Let’s just forget about the war.”
Greatness throughout history has been defined by those who seized the moment. Eisenhower had his letter of responsibility for failed Normandy landings in his pocket on D-Day. Instead of having to read it, he led one of the greatest military actions in history. The Gulf states could throw their massive air forces into the fray and help end the Iranian nightmare for the world. But they don’t know what’s going to be the outcome of this war and are hedging their bets. If the US wins, they’ll be friends with the new government; if the US leaves too early or the IRGC holds on, they can claim that they never fired a shot in anger. Even a report that the UAE attacked an Iranian desalination facility was sent to the memory hole in short order.
Victory is for the brave. The Gulf leaders should show that they want a better future and help end the mullahs’ nightmare. They’re being attacked independent of their own actions, so get into the battle. Fight with the US and ignore Israeli participation. Fight like your future depends on it, because it does.