Obama, for some strange reason, decided to bow to the king of Saudi. This is demonstrating submission to Suni Islam and the Wahabi movement (they ran the mosque school in Indonesia). The Suni and the Shiite don't like each other. Been going on for centuries. Iran is Shiite. They now know that Obama is their mortal enemy. Obama gives a speech in Paris that encourages Iranian reformers and threatens the Mullahs that run the place. All hell breaks loose and the Mullahs blame Obama. Russia, with long term interests in Iran for warm water port reasons is very nervous about sudden change in Iran. A moderate regime may not sit will in Moscow because it disrupts exixsting loyalties. Israel is concerned about Iran too and would prefer a moderate regime rather than the Mullahs. If Iran stays Mullah, Israel has limited options, likely attack to survive. China gets oil from Iran. Any change causes instability in their supply lines and plays into Russia's hands causing friction between two very unfriendly neighbors.
So, Obama flitting around the world shooting off his mouth and destabilizing the region is problematic for many reasons. He's a wild card in a tinderbox...
The bow was inexplicable and unnecessary. Hmmm
I sorta figured the riots in Iran had more to do with Bush placing a democracy or two right next to Iran and then the justifiable outrage of Iranians over their scam of an election. Of course, I can see why BO, and perhaps others, might want to claim/blame this on the speech in Cairo.
It would seem that BO could unintentionally help Israel by his fealty to the Sunis? Not good at all for the US to have a side in this - other than our own.
Very interesting. Thanks for the reply!