Investing more Arab resources in a US alliance is not advisable

US Prioritizes Israel Over Arab World, Says Policy Researcher

The United States has consistently prioritized its relationship with Israel over that of the Arab world, according to a policy researcher at American University in Beirut. The Gulf states have historically relied on the US as their primary strategic partner, engaging in extensive partnerships across various sectors.

In recent years, however, the US has sidestepped its Gulf partners during conflicts, including the war against Iran alongside Israel. The Trump administration’s latest efforts to negotiate with Iran appear to prioritize Israeli interests over those of its Arab allies.

The Gulf states have invested heavily in their relationships with the US, with trade between the two exceeding $120 billion in 2024. This has been matched by a significant US presence in Gulf markets across technology, energy, and infrastructure. The scale of this interdependence was highlighted at the 2025 Riyadh summit, which yielded trade and investment agreements worth over $2 trillion.

Gulf sovereign wealth funds have also invested nearly $70 billion in US assets, supporting hundreds of thousands of US jobs. In return, Gulf governments expected their core interests to be recognized and prioritized by the US.

These interests include economic diversification, regional stability, and energy security. The Gulf states have actively pursued diplomacy over confrontation to achieve these goals, with Saudi Arabia, for example, moving to end the war in Yemen and opening channels with Iran and Turkey.

The Trump administration’s decision to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s agenda has raised concerns about the impact on global oil and gas markets. The US choices have placed the region into a state of chaos, with the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb energy chokepoints at risk.

Source: Al Jazeera