The Mask of US-Saudi Friendship Is Finally Slipping

Washington has demonstrated beyond any doubt that its rift with Europe is irreversible, by deliberately choosing to go to war against Iran without consulting its European allies.

The conclusion is that the war will likely continue for several weeks.

The prospect of strife in Iran in which groups are pitted against one another and forces emerge which weaken central authority will have grave consequences for the region.

The trajectory is clear: Jakarta is tilting toward Washington at a cost many fear will be borne by ordinary Indonesians.

Military power is just a necessity for enjoying the blessings of oil.