(THREAD) The #QatarCrisis shows how Trump's good guys (Saudis) - bad guys (Iran) understanding of the #MiddleEast is shallow and dangerous.pic.twitter.com/csjU6ZyymO
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Qatar's funded Islamic extremists, so they're bad guys
But Saudi Arabia's funded Islamic extremists, and they're good guys
#QatarCrisis
3/x
Qatar hosts Al Jazeera (FAKE NEWS!): bad guy
But they're rich, opulent, and make deals: good guy
#QatarCrisis
4/x
Of course, it's not nearly as simple as good guys v. bad guys.
(No one knew the #MiddleEast could be so complicated)
#QatarCrisis
5/xpic.twitter.com/P0trPN7nrX
Americans often make the mistake of thinking other countries' decisions are always about the United States.
#QatarCrisis
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For example: Saddam lied to weapons inspectors to defy America! But he was mostly afraid of looking weak to #Iran.
#QatarCrisis
7/xpic.twitter.com/LiVCjMq4rs
Much of the #QatarCrisis is due to Sunni Arab countries' complicated, overlapping relations with each other (and outlook towards #Iran).
8/x
But the move to isolate Qatar comes quickly after Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia.
#QatarCrisis #TrumpInSaudi
9/x
The president gave a speech, trying to unite everyone against #terrorism, but also blaming terrorism on #Iran.
#QatarCrisis
10/x
The Saudis finally got what they've always wanted: an American president taking sides. And all it took was flattery.
#QatarCrisis
11/xpic.twitter.com/m5Z7Gt2gw5
It's hard to see the #QatarCrisis follow so closely on Trump's "sure, whatever you want, Saudis" speech and not see some connection.
12/x
Of course, he took credit for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, and Yemen's move.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/872062159789985792 …
#QatarCrisis
13/x
But what he doesn't seem to realize is many American flights targeting #ISIS fly out of Udeid, a large airbase in... Qatar
#QatarCrisis
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The Sunni Arab states are trying to rope Qatar back in line. But could push Qatar closer to #Iran (or Russia or China).
#QatarCrisis
15/x
Meanwhile, Kuwait and Oman are in a tight spot. And, thanks to Trump, the US can't mediate, giving an opening for Turkey.
#QatarCrisis
16/x
Who knew the #MiddleEast could be so complicated?
#QatarCrisis
17/17 (END)pic.twitter.com/xxK6798C0L
(PS1): To those accusing me of defending Iran, you're also falling into the oversimplified good guys-bad guys trap.
#QatarCrisis
(PS2): #Iran is a US adversary in many areas (nuclear proliferation, backing Hezbollah, backing Shia sectarians in #Iraq, etc.)
#QatarCrisis
(PS3): But #Iran is also fighting #ISIS, and generally opposes jihadists, an important area of mutual interest.
#QatarCrisis
(PS4): The US should work with Middle Eastern countries in areas of mutual interest, and stay out of Saudi-Iranian rivalry.
#QatarCrisis
(PS5): Choosing sides, as Trump did, increases the risks of regional war without gaining anything.
#QatarCrisishttps://arcdigital.media/trump-forfeits-global-leadership-797829e09af3 …
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