E ISTO AINDA VAI SOBRAR PARA OS RUSSOS...

Israel, GCC: United Only by a Mistrust in the U.S.

March 4, 2016 | 09:00 GMT

The Kuwaiti air force, which could become competitive with Israel in terms of aircraft because of arms deals with the United States, shows its skills in Kuwait City. (YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.S. balance-of-power strategy in the Middle East is nearing a potential pitfall. A number of crucial arms contracts for the sale of U.S. weaponry to several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are at risk of falling through because of Israeli opposition. The United States' final decision on whether to sign will anger one of two sides, Israel or the GCC, and both already harbor misgivings about continued U.S. support. The GCC states could even turn to alternative partners for the lucrative defense deals. Washington will have to carefully manage these relationships if it is to maintain stability in the Middle East. Click here to continue reading…