US confirms: that its support for democracy in the Gulf is strong and firm

"No other country can offer the rich but thinly populated Gulf states as much protection as the United States, said Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns." "Burns insisted that the U.S. military commitment to the Gulf is greater than ever, including 35,000 troops at more than a dozen bases in the region. He noted that the administration is selling highly sophisticated arms to the region, including F-16 fighters and the missile defense systems designed to shield the states."