McCain’s Visit to the Middle East
Published in Asharq Al Awsat
(Saudi Arabia) on 13 March 2012
by ‘Amad al-Din Adib (link to original)
The American observer must take note of the precise movements and statements of U.S. envoy John McCain.
Despite the fact that McCain belongs to the opposition Republican Party, and despite the fact that he was President Obama’s competing candidate for the presidency, he has gained a special status within the current American administration. He was an American military hero in the Vietnam War, during which he lived under detention and torture. His political career has been all about pride.
There are now rumors that he is suffering from a malignant illness infecting the bones of his jaw, which required several surgeries because it was life threatening.
Despite this, the “maverick” senator travels domestically and abroad, coordinating and compromising, because he holds a number of foreign files given to him by the Obama administration.
Among these files are the Syria file, the Iran file and the file encompassing the nations affected by the Arab Spring. It is impossible to interpret McCain’s most recent tour in the Arab region as anything other than meddling in this sphere.
During his trip, some facts were leaked concerning the American senator’s travels.
First of all, McCain believes that the Obama administration will continue in its economic and diplomatic blockade of Iran but, at the same time, he would “understand” the Israeli move toward military action.
Second, the element of cost for any military action against Iran or against Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria is the most important reason for Obama’s reluctance to take any military action.
Third, “all” of the new Arab Spring regimes are in a state of cooperation with the American administration, and Washington should “pass down” any American aid programs to these regimes until they rebuild themselves in a democratic mold.
Fourth, the American regime is renewing its confusion with its policies toward Russia and China, which is the reason that America is confronting Moscow and Beijing in the Security Council with respect to voting against sanctions against the Assad regime.
Interestingly, the American “regime” is able to take advantage of all the players regardless of the orientation or positions of the current administrations.
On this subject, the famous writer “James Rosten” said, “When it comes to [America's] security, there are no Republicans or Democrats; there are only Americans.”*
*Editor's note: The only source for this quote that we could find was George Tenet quoting David Boren in a 2003 speech. It is unclear who is meant here by "James Rosten."
Despite the fact that McCain belongs to the opposition Republican Party, and despite the fact that he was President Obama’s competing candidate for the presidency, he has gained a special status within the current American administration. He was an American military hero in the Vietnam War, during which he lived under detention and torture. His political career has been all about pride.
There are now rumors that he is suffering from a malignant illness infecting the bones of his jaw, which required several surgeries because it was life threatening.
Despite this, the “maverick” senator travels domestically and abroad, coordinating and compromising, because he holds a number of foreign files given to him by the Obama administration.
Among these files are the Syria file, the Iran file and the file encompassing the nations affected by the Arab Spring. It is impossible to interpret McCain’s most recent tour in the Arab region as anything other than meddling in this sphere.
During his trip, some facts were leaked concerning the American senator’s travels.
First of all, McCain believes that the Obama administration will continue in its economic and diplomatic blockade of Iran but, at the same time, he would “understand” the Israeli move toward military action.
Second, the element of cost for any military action against Iran or against Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria is the most important reason for Obama’s reluctance to take any military action.
Third, “all” of the new Arab Spring regimes are in a state of cooperation with the American administration, and Washington should “pass down” any American aid programs to these regimes until they rebuild themselves in a democratic mold.
Fourth, the American regime is renewing its confusion with its policies toward Russia and China, which is the reason that America is confronting Moscow and Beijing in the Security Council with respect to voting against sanctions against the Assad regime.
Interestingly, the American “regime” is able to take advantage of all the players regardless of the orientation or positions of the current administrations.
On this subject, the famous writer “James Rosten” said, “When it comes to [America's] security, there are no Republicans or Democrats; there are only Americans.”*
*Editor's note: The only source for this quote that we could find was George Tenet quoting David Boren in a 2003 speech. It is unclear who is meant here by "James Rosten."