Some Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, are increasingly limiting the US in the use of military structures on their territory to launch retaliatory airstrikes against pro-Iranian militias: Politico writes, citing four people familiar with the matter.
The objective would be to seek a point of balance, helping the American ally but avoiding the wrath of Tehran and the anger of their fellow citizens towards Israel.
The United States has long deployed thousands of troops at facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and elsewhere in the Middle East, and the role of Arab countries in supporting U.S. military activities has come under intense scrutiny since war broke out between Israel and Hamas in October.
The conflict has pitted Arab governments' interests in assuaging their citizens' anger toward Israel against their desire to help Washington repel Iranian-backed attacks.
The restrictions on US activities on their soil reflect Arab calculations about how supportive they can be without angering Iran.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA