How the U.S. Enables 'Reckless Driving' By Its Clients

Reflexive and unconditional support is a guaranteed way to get nothing but reckless and aggressive behavior.

Ben Hubbard has discovered a previously unknown “scholarly” consensus:

Scholars of the Middle East point out that the United States has a long history of doing business with autocrats, including every Saudi king, and that engagement could more effectively shape their behavior than ostracism.

Perhaps, they argue, a closer American relationship can cultivate the good and discourage the bad in how Prince Mohammed wields his tremendous wealth, power and ambition.

No one is quoted or cited to back up these claims, and that’s probably because it would be hard to find many scholars working on the history or politics of the region that agree with the blanket statements that “engagement could more effectively shape their behavior than ostracism” or that a closer relationship “can cultivate the good and discourage the bad.” There is no evidence to support these claims when it comes to U.S. clients, all of which routinely take U.S. engagement for granted and constantly look for ways to extort Washington for more benefits. There is often not much good to cultivate in any case, but reflexive and unconditional support is a guaranteed way to get nothing but reckless and aggressive behavior.