New York Times says Saudi Arabia is frustrated after U.S. rejects military help
The New York Times has reported that Saudi Arabia faces a difficult strategic situation after failing to win U.S. military support against Yemen, leaving it with limited options amid tensions involving the United States and Iran.
According to the report, Riyadh is now confronting a scenario that officials and observers describe as very costly for the kingdom after its request was rejected by Donald Trump. The New York Times wrote that Yemeni forces have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia in recent weeks and have threatened to reduce the country’s ability to export oil.
Citing former diplomats and analysts, the newspaper added that Saudi Arabia has become frustrated and disappointed by Trump’s reluctance to confront the Yemeni forces. Michael Ratney, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said: “Right now, the Saudis are really frustrated. It is, in a way, the worst possible scenario for them.”
Elsewhere in the report, the remarks of Mohammed Mansour, Yemen’s deputy minister of information, were also cited. He said the efforts of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to win Trump’s support, as well as consultations with Pakistan, Egypt and the CENTCOM commander, showed Riyadh’s deadlock and the Yemeni forces’ superiority.
Mansour also said Trump’s opposition to bin Salman’s request for intervention against Yemen was another blow for Saudi Arabia. He added that Pakistan and Turkey had not taken positions in line with Riyadh’s wishes and, according to him, the Egyptian army also had no desire to enter the conflict.
The New York Times is one of the most influential newspapers in the United States, and its reporting on foreign policy, especially on the Middle East, receives wide attention across the media and political circles.
