I joined Al Jazeera English’s Inside Story on Friday to discuss if — amid tariffs, departure from international agreements, and Donald Trump’s unpredictable and provocative behavior — the US is now a “rogue state”.
The other panellists are Phillipe LeGrain, former economic advisor to the President of the European Commission, and Pauline Loong of Asia-Analytica.
The gamble of the Trump Administration is that they will get a short-term political benefit, if not economic benefit, by showing “We Are Tough” and the rest of the world has to bow down to American wishes.
I would take anything coming from Al Jazeera with a grain of salt.. If anyone has been a rouge state it has been Qatar.. it now flipped against the GCC and has joined hands with Iran. Dont mention that since 2006 it has helped to rebuild Hezbollahs southern war torn cities after the war 2006 lunacy against Israel. Then it helped Hamas (also iranian funded) to break away from West Bank leadership and to ultimately seek out war with Egypt for expansion into the Sinai. In 2016 it was with the GCC alliance against the Iranian backed Houthis, now Qatar/Aljazeera stands with the Houthis.
At every which was you bring this up to Qataris and Aljazeera journalists who are very well paid, they spin it into Qatar always being the victim. The funds that go to terrorists like Qassim Soleimani for the 25 kidnapped Qataris in Iraq also never get mentioned. The breaking up of the alliances in Aleppo Syria at the order of Turkey and Qatar in order to secure Turkeys war on Kobani etc are also never mentioned. The soundbites of Hamad the previous ruler talking about breaking up Saudi Arabia into different parts so that Iran can take over the East and eat up Bahrain are also conveniently brushed aside because no matter what they do, the Qataris are victims.
Take whatever they say at Al Jazeera and throw it in with the rants from Al Manar and Al Alam and Al Masdar news. Same propaganda just different flavor.