I recently flew home from one of my regular visits to the most powerful nation on the planet, the United States, a country with some of the greatest people anywhere. I am always made welcome and afforded warm hospitality wherever I go.

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger spoke the truth when he said: “America has no permanent friends, only interests.” The fact that the Trump administration is prepared to overlook Qatar’s terrorist ties to gain financial 

The two countries forming the solid backbone of our region in turmoil are Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose leaders have consistently displayed great strength and wisdom, as well as loyalty to their people and to each other. And never more so than today.

Understanding the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regional ambitions needs no mind reader. For years, he has sought to meddle in Arab affairs, at times pretending to be a friend and, at others, openly hostile. His end game is now crystal clear.

The unseated Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Mursi left the Egyptian economy in a shambles. Foreign reserves were depleted. Foreign investment dried up. Those were the darkest days, literally, thanks to constant electricity blackouts.

Through its own actions, the US has diminished its status as leader of the free world and eliminated itself as an honest broker.

Almost all of America’s closest allies had cautioned US President Donald Trump against recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, warning of potentially grave repercussions. France, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Turkey have all urged him to reconsider.