For decades, America had a relationship with both Israel and Saudi Arabia that was based on a quid pro quo. America provided security guarantees; Israel served as a shining example of liberal democracy; Saudi Arabia kept oil prices down; and both Middle East countries followed the American line on foreign policy issues. The relationships were hardly frictionless, but for the most part, they worked.
That was then, and this is now. The natives are getting restless. The Saudi government has worked with the Russians to keep oil prices higher than necessary, made its own deal with Iran, and is doing more business with China than before. The new Israeli government isn’t content to oppress the Palestinians; it wants to make life miserable for blue Israelis, as well. Neither country has provided us with any meaningful assistance on Ukraine. How should we respond?
Israel and Saudi Arabia are sovereign nations, so they have every right to declare independence from us if that is what they want. They are not, however, entitled to security guarantees from us under those conditions. It’s the old deal, or none.