【Trump's Dilemma: Choose Between the Gulf and Israel】 For Trump, there is a difficult choice between two options.

Which matters more to Trump—the Gulf Arab states or Israel? If forced to choose one over the other, which would he pick?

The Gulf is a financial hub purchasing U.S. debt, rich in energy resources, with land available for free to build all AI software and infrastructure, but lacking in military strength and dependent on U.S. protection.

Israel is almost the opposite of these traits.

So the question arises: which one matters more to Trump?

Previously, this dilemma didn’t exist—America could have both at once.

Since the Iran war began, if it continues to escalate, the U.S. will effectively abandon the Gulf, leaving it directly exposed to Iranian missiles.

If instead the U.S. chooses de-escalation or even withdrawal, it means allowing Iran to grow stronger, possibly confronting Israel alone.

So, which one should be preserved? Which one should be abandoned?

Trump doesn’t want to destroy this lucrative “gift.” In reality, he’s using Gulf nations as sacrificial pawns.

Gulf leaders, if they remain rational and clear-headed, shouldn’t blame Iran for attacking their energy infrastructure in retaliation against Trump’s threats.

Historically, possessing oil and gas wealth meant foreign policy operated in “autopilot,” requiring little strategic thought.

Today, the credibility of American hegemony established in 1991 has utterly vanished—meaning the “autopilot” mode no longer works.

Without a thorough reckoning, the Gulf elites probably won’t voluntarily seek to leave the alliance unless pushed to the brink.

This moment might finally bring about a genuine ceasefire in the Iran conflict.

Meanwhile, within the U.S., neoconservatives are completely unhinged, utterly indifferent to economic consequences, shouting for Iran to be reduced to the Stone Age.

For Trump, the option of having it both ways is now gone.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872326124191760/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.