Why Arab Allies Don’t Trust the U.S. on Ukraine

My discussions in recent days with Arabs—high government officials, prominent businessmen and former diplomats—underscore the gap between how the Ukraine war is commonly viewed in the Middle East and here in America. For many in the U.S., the shock of Russia’s invasion has given way to outrage as every day brings stories of torture, rape and brutality more chilling and gruesome than the stories of the day before. In the face of Russia’s aggression, Americans believe they are on the right side of history by standing firmly in support of brave Ukrainians defending their homeland. Many Arabs see it differently. They view America in 2022 through the lens of their experience over the past 30-plus years. For them, something is amiss...

Read the full article on the Wall Street Journal website.

Robert Satloff is executive director of The Washington Institute. This article was written under the auspices of the Institute's Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East.