Gulf potentates

“Once there is a determined America and a determined President Obama, he will find a receptive ally in the region to work with him,” said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political analyst in the United Arab Emirates."  Well, Abdulkhaleq: I think that with or without a "determined America"--whatever that means, although in the Gulf context it usually means a more aggressive and more war-mongering America--the US will find a receptive ally among the potentates of the Gulf. It is unconditional obedience.