Syria’s Foreign Ministry pushed back against Washington’s comments about distancing itself from Iran, as Saudi Arabian King Abdullah was on a tour of country’s, including Syria [SUSRISblog, Jul 28], to build Arab unity. “NightWatch,” citing a CBS News report, reported on Damascus’ statement which said Syria and Saudi Arabia are independent states and know best how to handle events in their countries’ region without external interference. It went on to blast the United States which, it asserted, had no duty or right to determine Syria’s relationship with other countries in the region.
“NightWatch” commented on the Syrian response to Washington with this insightful note:
“Comment: The statement was Syria’s official riposte to US Assistant Secretary of State Crowley’s 28 July remarks that Syria should listen to Saudi King Abdullah and distance itself from Iran, and play a more active role in easing tensions in the region. King Abdullah arrived today from Egypt as the latest leg of his travel to Arab states. Lebanon is the next stop.
“Somehow one would think the US would learn to let Arabs handle Arab diplomacy, especially when King Abdullah is leading the effort. Arabs speak Arabic to each other and are familiar with desert culture, not to mention Islam. King Abdullah’s efforts to forge an anti-Iran and more unified Sunni Arabic bloc are always degraded by State Department cheerleading, nattering and badgering, as today. The King does not require US help in talking to Arabs.
“The repetition of today’s events has been so frequent that it is not clear that the US wants the King to succeed. That is because when an ally’s action supports US interests, even obliquely, prudence suggests the ally be allowed to succeed unhindered by damaging public encouragement.
“Silence usually is the better part of wisdom, especially when accompanied by obvious cultural ignorance. One would think that the State Department press office is under no obligation to say stupid things that might undermine useful diplomacy by the Saudi King.”
Editor’s Note: NightWatch is an excellent source for reporting and analysis on global developments. It is a service of Kforce Government Solutions in Northern Virginia and provides “open source” based “executive commentary and analysis of events that pose or advance threats to U.S. national security interests.” We recommend subscribing. Link HERE.
