Jon Alterman

Suddenly it looks like the policy is not tough diplomacy, but the path to war.

Suddenly it looks like the policy is not tough diplomacy, but the path to war.

Arabs will turn round and point out the United States gives billions of dollars to Israel. It's just an area read more

Arabs will turn round and point out the United States gives billions of dollars to Israel. It's just an area where they will have to agree to disagree.

This was totally unprecedented - a live interchange with no questions given in advance.

This was totally unprecedented - a live interchange with no questions given in advance.

Most countries in the Gulf do not have to be persuaded that a nuclear Iran is a threat to them. read more

Most countries in the Gulf do not have to be persuaded that a nuclear Iran is a threat to them. But they ask if the cure is worse than the disease.

My guess is that the U.S. will say we are doing what we can. The Saudis will say please do read more

My guess is that the U.S. will say we are doing what we can. The Saudis will say please do more and there will be an agreement to work together to do a little bit more.