US coalition against Iran 'not easy'

Rising doubts, fears

The tour came amid rising doubts and fears over US President Donald Trump's rush decision to pull US troops out from Syria. Trump announced on Dec 19 that the US would immediately withdraw 2,000 troops from Syria, declaring that the Islamic States group had been defeated. He has come under intense pressure both at home and in allied capitals since then.

He Wenping, a senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute, said that the Middle East Strategic Alliance will be difficult to be realized, as every country in Middle East has their own specific interest demand.

"The US has made many efforts in the past few years to bring them to the same camp, but these countries are not really in the same camp yet," she said.

"Although they will make comprises over certain issues that will bring a real benefit to them," she said, adding that relations between Arab countries and Iran are also varied.

One stop on Pompeo's tour was Qatar, which has been boycotted by its neighbors. Several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017. But Qatar's relations with Iran remain solid, she said.

"For example, Qatar's airlines are forbidden to fly over these countries, but can fly through Iran, which makes the two countries closer," she said.

Another stop on Pompeo's tour was Iraq, which currently relies heavily on its eastern neighbor Iran, importing around 1,300 megawatts of electricity and 28 million cubic meters of natural gas to fuel power plants. Washington, which sees Tehran as its top foe in the region, is keen to break those ties, according to an AFP report.

He Wenping said that Pompeo's Middle East visit also strengthened communications with allies. Planning to form the Middle East Strategic Alliance means the US wants to have systematic and regular communication, which could help curb Russia's growing influence in the region.

Xu said that what Pompeo's visit achieved is that it helped reassure allies that the US will continue to be an influence in the Middle East. In turn, the US won more support from those countries.