Trump recently spoke about the Iran war and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), saying: "I never thought I'd have to kiss my ass—really didn't expect that. Now he has to treat me with respect, and he better do so."
While Saudi Arabia is still suffering attacks from Iranian missiles and drones, Trump's public humiliation has caused a major uproar across the Middle East, prompting Saudis to reevaluate their own fate.
After five weeks of warfare, Saudi Arabia can choose to continue footing the war bill—after all, its annual defense spending ranges between $70 billion and $80 billion. But Iran’s attacks on U.S. military bases will not stop. Yesterday, they struck Prince Sultan Air Base, igniting a KC-135 refueling aircraft and damaging an American E-3 "Sentinel" early warning plane. The U.S. Air Force now has only 16 such early warning aircraft, nearly 40% of which are deployed in combat zones, with no production line available for replacement. This marks one of the most strategically significant losses in the war so far. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia possesses the wealthiest military in the world—but faces the Revolutionary Guards like a strawberry army.
MBS could also opt to strengthen ties with the UAE across all dimensions, attempting by force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, continuing to rely on U.S. protection, remaining a vassal, and refusing to break free from chains. The problem is, if the U.S. cannot even protect its own troops stationed in Saudi Arabia, how can it possibly safeguard Saudi interests? This is the reward for fawning over Trump. Moreover, the UAE has already stated clearly: neighbors are neighbors—you can’t choose them; coexistence is the best choice.
Iran targets Saudi Arabia precisely because of its alliance with the United States—the kingdom’s territory and airspace are used to launch attacks against Iran.
If this link were severed, Iranian missiles and drones would no longer target Saudi Arabia. That’s it—simple as that.
Saudi Arabia is rich beyond imagination, but wealth sometimes creates the illusion of total control, fueling conflicts and fostering arrogance.
Yet geography does not change. In the end, you must still live side by side with your neighbors.
Dare to imagine: what if MBS stops licking Trump’s ass?
If Saudi Arabia chooses to break away from the U.S., negotiate independently with Iran, permanently expel all U.S. military personnel and bases, and transfer these facilities to Pakistani and Turkish forces for security—under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella—then who knows whether Saudi Arabia will receive those 48 F-35 Lightning II fighters before August?
The Senate is still investigating Kushner’s role in this arms deal, and approval remains pending. If the sale isn’t completed by August, it will be Trump—and his military-industrial cronies—who suffer the damage.
Additionally, Kushner’s private equity firm will likely collapse, as Saudi funding forms its foundation, and it has yet to turn a profit. The more than $100 million in “management fees” paid to the son-in-law have yielded zero investment returns.
Trump’s son’s cryptocurrency fund, World Liberty, similarly relies entirely on Saudi capital—this would result in irreversible losses. All real estate deals conducted by the Trump Organization in the Middle East would vanish into thin air.
In the past, Arab leaders have shown utmost reverence toward Trump, which only emboldened Americans to belittle them like scolding grandchildren.
MBS still hopes Trump sees Saudi Arabia as his own Mar-a-Lago in the Middle East.
But reality is the best teacher—it wakes people up.
Today’s war may be a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for Saudi Arabia to make a fresh choice.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860951775452168/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.