UK can no longer rely on U.S. leadership over Middle East - lawmakers

[webfact]

UK can no longer rely on U.S. leadership over Middle East - lawmakers

By Kylie MacLellan

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump escorts British Prime Minister Theresa May down the White House colonnade after their meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 27, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain can no longer rely on U.S. leadership on Middle East policy and must work more closely with Europe to ensure the Iran nuclear deal stays in place, among other policies, a committee of lawmakers said in a report on Tuesday.

 

The deal between Iran and six major powers restricts Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international oil and financial sanctions.

 

During his U.S. presidential campaign, Donald Trump called the agreement "the worst deal ever negotiated" and his administration has launched a review of whether lifting sanctions is in the United States' national security interests.

 

"We can no longer assume America will set the tone for the West's relationship with the Middle East," said David Howell, chairman of the British parliament's House of Lords International Relations Committee.

 

In its report, the committee cited in particular Trump's approach to Iran and to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

 

"The new U.S. administration has the potential to destabilise further the region ... The U.S. President has taken positions that are unconstructive and could even escalate conflict," it said.

 

It said it was not an option for Britain to reduce its engagement in the region as exports to the Middle East are worth more than to China and India combined and investment into the UK from the region was "extremely significant".

 

The report said Britain should work with its European partners on steps to ease restrictions on banks lending money for investment in Iran and to help develop new trade relationships, with Iran a priority for post-Brexit trade.

 

While Trump was unlikely to try to destroy the nuclear deal, failing to ease sanctions would push Iran towards more extensive trade relations with powers such as China and Russia, it said.

 

The report also said Britain should distance itself from the United States' "destabilising postures" on the Arab-Israeli conflict and give serious consideration to recognising Palestine as a state to show it is committed to the two-state solution.

 

Trump rattled Arab and European leaders in February by indicating he was open to a one-state solution, upending a position taken by successive administrations and the international community.

 

He later said he liked the concept of a two-state solution but stopped short of reasserting a U.S. commitment to eventual Palestinian statehood.

 

"The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute must remain high amongst British foreign policy priorities," the report said. "The government should be more forthright in stating its views on these issues despite the views of the U.S. administration."

 

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Catherine Evans)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-02

[iReason]

 

"The new U.S. administration has the potential to destabilise further the region ...

The U.S. President has taken positions that are unconstructive and could even escalate conflict," it said.

 

[ilostmypassword]

I only hope that this report does indicate a significant change of policy in the UK. But the fact is that this report came from the Lords, so not really much of an indication about the UK's future Mideast policy.

[chilli42]

"Britain can no longer rely on U.S. leadership on Middle East policy ..."

 

What an an odd thing to say!  US policy in the Middle East has been a resounding success.  With the man-boy at the helm it can only get better

[Jonmarleesco]

Given the quality of US and UK leadership over recent years, that would be as well.

[dunroaming]

The biggest problem is the way that May and Johnson continue to suck up to the POTUS.  For god's sake just kick the moron into touch and move away from the idiot!

[Srikcir]

On 5/2/2017 at 6:14 AM, webfact said:

Britain can no longer rely on U.S. leadership on Middle East policy

Some very smart cookies in the UK government. Trump should appreciate that but the UK would be too democratic to qualify for Trump's "honor."

[pegman]

Trump, Clinton and most of the American political class are owned lock, stock and barrel by the Zionists. All they know what to do is to make the mid-east less stable. Get attacted by Saudi suicide bombers on hi-jacked aircraft so declare war on Iraq?  

Edited May 3, 2017 by pegman

[mtls2005]

I am under the impression that Prince Jared will solve this Middle East kerfuffle?