THE SCORE IN THE FIGHT BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN

A COMMENT BY TONY SAYEGH



I have to grudgingly admit that so far the score is:

Iran    1

Saudi Arabia    0

Why do I say that?

Look around you, from Syria to Yemen to Iraq, the forces backed by Iran are either advancing or holding their own. Look at Fallujah for example; it was decimated by forces supported by Iran, while "Sunni Arabs" were standing there wringing their hands. To some extent the same has been happening in Aleppo in Syria. While in Yemen, the so-called coalition led by the Saudis is falling apart. After more than a year, the Saudis can't decisively beat the Houthis and liberate the capital San'a from their grip.

The explanation for all of these developments is the tacit alliance of the US and Iran. The US Air Force  has acted as Iran's air force in Iraq. While in Yemen the US has ordered the UN to take the side of the Houthis and to give them legitimacy, while pressing the Saudis to stop military operations.

In Syria, the Saudis and the Turks have backed off from real and tangible support for the Syrian opposition. Now, the pathetic Saudi foreign minister even openly declares that the Saudi and American positions are basically the same regarding Syria!

And that pathetic scarecrow Erdogan has been so obedient to the US to the extent that the Kurds, with US backing, will control the entire Syria-Turkey border! As I predicted sometime ago, Turkey's threats would prove empty.

The bottom line? As long as Saudi Arabia and Turkey are in the back pocket of the US, expect Iran to score more wins with the US backing. The Syrian opposition? I am afraid to say that they are completely on their own, with their back to the wall. If they can't  get their act together then defeat is a real possibility. 

Let me know what you think.