Doha: A senior US diplomat said during his visit to Doha that the US will not abandon its commitments and obligations towards the Gulf countries and its allies.
The US has major national and core interests in the Middle East region in terms of hydrocarbon products, the Palestinian-Israeli question and the need to provide support for nations seeking political balance and economic growth, the former US Ambassador in Egypt, Frank Wisner, said.
He was speaking about the US foreign policy in Syria, Egypt and Iran in an event hosted by the Department of International Affairs at Qatar University’s College of Arts and Sciences.
A panel of international policy experts provided commentary on Wisner’s remarks, including Dr Husam Mohammad from Qatar University, Dr Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University, and Dr Ibrahim Sharqieh of Brookings Institute.
Wisner, who is now a Foreign Affairs Advisor in the US Law Firm Patton Boggs, said that this was a critical time not only in the Middle East, but in the world, especially with the rise of Arab revolutions. Such changes have had tremendous impacts on social, economic, and political life in the Mena region, which then impacts the US and the world at large.
He said that the US and Iran are now trying to overcome the mistrust which has developed between the two countries over the past few decades on many issues. This mistrust must be addressed to ensure that Iran maintains a peaceful nuclear programme and capabilities.
Wisner also said Egypt had been a good strategic partner for many years and it is one of the US political pillars in the Middle East region.
“There have been two revolutions: one that overthrew Mubarak and the second overthrew Mursi. But the second one was unclear in terms of international criteria and standards. Some people believe that it was a kind of military ‘coup’, which is of concern to the US.”
The Peninsula
