Saudi snub of Obama at airfield intentional — analyst

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, says Saudi King Salman’s decision to send a lower level official to greet Obama at an airfield in Riyadh was unusual and intended to send a clear message that they have little faith in him.

“The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents,” Alani said. “Here you have deep distrust that the president won’t deliver anything.”

Ahead of Obama’s arrival, Saudi state television showed the king personally greeting senior officials from other Gulf nations arriving at the King Salman Air Base.

Obama huddled privately with Salman at Erga Palace as Defense Secretary Ash Carter appealed to other Gulf nations for more economic and political support for Iraq, echoing themes Obama planned to emphasize personally in talks with Gulf leaders at a regional summit. In addition to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar are participating.

Carter asked the Gulf countries to help with the reconstruction of the cities of Ramadi and Hit as well as Anbar province, areas that have been won back from IS militants but were left in near-shambles. He said helping the Iraqi people go home and rebuild their lives would lead to a more lasting victory and promote a more inclusive government.

“What we would like, and what we discussed today, is to do more,” Carter said at Diriyah Palace.

A senior defense official says the defense chiefs had a robust discussion, but came to no solid agreements on the increased aid.

Still, the Gulf nations appear to be willing to consider doing more, says official, who briefed reporters but was not authorized to be quoted by name.

— AP