The US will continue providing logistical backing to Saudi Arabia but sees little value in engaging in direct combat against Houthi rebels, specifically ground operations, Barrack said. Analysts suggest this strategic pivot follows a US war with Iran that undermined previous security arrangements. Barrack compared the current shift to "raising teenagers," describing a relationship where the US guides and tends to regional interests instead of controlling them.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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US Transitions Historic Oil For Security Bargain in Middle East
Geopolitics2 hours ago
Washington's military presence in the region is no longer a commitment to protect open seas and trade at any cost. US Envoy Tom Barrack stated at the Global Security Forum in Doha that the historic "Grand Bargain" of exchanging security for oil is transitioning, ending an era in which the US served as the world's primary guarantor for 80 years. Barrack noted that there are no longer any blanket guarantees, and regional partners must now operate on clear expectations and mutual respect rather than automatic protections.
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