![](https://i.imgur.com/CLvY2jA.png")
16-05-2025, 11:30 AM
It’s more than aircraft.
Saudi, UAE and Qatar want US presence in the Middle East to defend against Turkey (revanchist Ottoman Empire dreams) and Iran/Iraq (Shia hardliners) who have deep influence on Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
Saudi, UAE and Qatar also have no problems with Israel, a major US ally.
It’s not that Saudi/UAE/Qatar don’t like China but China cannot provide the same kind of military presence and security as the US does, and China has not yet shown their commitment to be involved in the Middle East.
They like Chinese investment and Chinese purchases of oil products. But if they had to CHOOSE, for their own existential concerns, they would choose USA over China.
Saudi, UAE and Qatar want US presence in the Middle East to defend against Turkey (revanchist Ottoman Empire dreams) and Iran/Iraq (Shia hardliners) who have deep influence on Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
Saudi, UAE and Qatar also have no problems with Israel, a major US ally.
It’s not that Saudi/UAE/Qatar don’t like China but China cannot provide the same kind of military presence and security as the US does, and China has not yet shown their commitment to be involved in the Middle East.
They like Chinese investment and Chinese purchases of oil products. But if they had to CHOOSE, for their own existential concerns, they would choose USA over China.
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