While negotiations between Hamas and Israel are still ongoing, Israel has launched a military operation in Gaza. Of course, Hamas, Allah and the Houthis have also attacked Israeli targets. On May 2, Iraqi forces even launched cruise missiles to directly attack Israel itself.
According to RIA Novosti on May 3, the Houthis warned Israel that if Israel launched a military operation in Rafah, all Israeli-related ships would be attacked. When the time comes, the Houthis will expand the scope of their attacks to include opponents' targets in the Mediterranean.
The Houthis stressed that they would be prepared to escalate the military confrontation again if the United States and Israel refused to budge.
The Houthis' ultimatum is clearly aimed at the United States, Britain and Israel. At present, many US warships have gathered in the Mediterranean, and if the Houthis launch hypersonic missiles, they have a chance to hit these targets. Even if there were no casualties, it would worry the United States.
Of course, what worries the United States the most is not actually the retaliation of pro-Iranian forces. The United States is well aware that in the case of Iran not entering the war, the Houthi retaliation can only be "thunder and rain", and will not make the US military pay a heavy price.
The biggest headache for the White House now is the joint action of Arab countries.
With Israel insisting on besieging Rafah and the United States continuing to supply Israel with weapons, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia cannot sit still.
The UAE has told the United States that it will not allow US warplanes and drones to attack Iraq and Yemen from the "Abu Dhabi" air base. The airbase is unusual and is an important military base for the US military in the UAE.
Under these circumstances, the United States had no choice but to transfer some warplanes, drones and aircraft to Qatar.
The UAE is doing this because it does not want to be targeted and fears retaliation from Iran and its allies. The second reason is that Israel has caused a large number of casualties in Gaza, and the United States has not taken concrete actions to stop Israel.
The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey agree that the international community should sanction Israel, which is violating international law by doing so in Gaza.
Qatar's representative to the United Nations, Al Thani, said on May 2 that he strongly condemned Israel's threat to attack Rafah.
The Saudis are also in action. In addition to condemning Israel, Saudi Arabia has also given Russia and Iran big gifts.
Saudi Arabia has decided to extend the plan to cut about 1 million barrels of oil per day until the end of June 2024. With the situation in the Middle East continuing to be volatile, this is undoubtedly a situation that the White House does not want to see. The United States is reluctant to allow global energy prices to soar, but Russia is happy to see it.
Saudi Arabia agreed to Iran's five proposals, pledging to map out a roadmap for economic cooperation between the two countries and to accelerate their implementation.
In order to win over Saudi Arabia and prevent Saudi Arabia from reconciling with Iran, the United States has resorted to all means. The White House is negotiating with Saudi Arabia that if it goes well, the United States will expand its investment in Saudi Arabia and may even help Saudi Arabia develop semiconductors. In the military field, the United States intends to export weapons to Saudi Arabia that were "not allowed to be exported before", and has also promised to provide security guarantees for Saudi Arabia.
If the United States and Saudi Arabia can reach an agreement, the interests of the United States in the Middle East will be effectively guaranteed, and Saudi Arabia will also reap a lot of benefits. In return, Saudi Arabia has to meet three US demands: gradual Israeli reconciliation, distancing itself from Iran, and strengthening America's position in the Middle East.
What do you think?
First, this time, the United States is indeed facing a situation in which "the wall is falling down and everyone is pushing it." The White House, which is warning Israel, has actually provided Israel with weapons and has not forgotten to pressure the International Criminal Court and the United Nations, which has greatly emboldened Israel.
Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are well aware that if they want Israel to cease fire, the most important thing is to force the United States to make concessions. If there is no more unity to pressure the United States, Gaza will face another humanitarian catastrophe.
In the long run, Israel will also look down on Arab countries even more.
To a certain extent, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are actually safeguarding their own interests by helping Palestine.
Second, the current situation is uncertain. In the final analysis, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are all good friends of the United States, and the differences between Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia will not be resolved in a short period of time.
The choice of the United States is no different from before, that is, it is both soft and hard. This time, the United States has given Saudi Arabia a lot of big gifts, and it is difficult for Saudi Arabia to refuse them all. If Saudi Arabia insists on deepening cooperation with Iran and continues to target the United States and Israel, the White House will hit Saudi Arabia with actions.
As long as Saudi Arabia changes its face, other Arab countries will follow suit. I have to say that the United States is really clever in this move.
Whether to reach an important agreement with the United States, or to continue to pressure the United States and Israel, it is time for Saudi Arabia to think carefully.