Former U.S. ambassador on how Saudi Arabia will face threats without U.S. support

• • Former Ambassador Michael Ratney warns Saudi Arabia faces security vulnerabilities without U.S. military support.


• • Iran-backed groups and Houthi rebels are targeting Saudi energy infrastructure and maritime traffic.


• • Riyadh seeks reassurance that the U.S. will defend its critical interests against regional aggression.

Context
The 2019 strikes on Saudi oil facilities proved that the kingdom cannot absorb attacks without a strong deterrent. Saudi Arabia is now attempting to balance de-escalation with the need to protect its sovereignty from Iranian proxies.

Christian Perspective
The Middle East remains a theater of spiritual and political warfare where stability is often dictated by the strength of sovereign nations. While the U.S. must be cautious of foreign entanglements, protecting vital energy resources is necessary to prevent global chaos. Christian leaders should view these regional power struggles through the lens of maintaining order against lawless, hostile actors.

Implications
Weakening U.S. support for allies can lead to global instability that drives up energy costs and harms the American economy. For Christian families, economic stability is a prerequisite for building strong, traditional households. A retreat from global leadership often invites the very chaos that disrupts domestic peace and prosperity.

Broader Trends
This situation reflects the tension between traditional interventionism and the America First movement. Globalist elites often prioritize foreign security pacts that do not directly benefit the American worker or the national interest. The shift toward a more isolationist stance challenges the established diplomatic order that has long prioritized Middle Eastern stability over domestic strength.

Takeaway
America First principles dictate that we should only provide support that serves our own national security and economic health. We must reject any policy that sacrifices American resources to prop up foreign regimes without a clear benefit to our own people. True strength lies in securing our own borders and energy independence before attempting to police the world.