The report published in the Atlantic magazine about US President Barack Obama’s policies should serve as an eye-opener to the Muslim world. His philosophical approach toward various global and regional issues is very disappointing. Being the president of a superpower, he was not supposed to avoid action in Syria. Or perhaps, Obama is defining a new course of action for the future administrations. He claims to be an internationalist and realist but frankly his actions define him as an isolationist. He thinks about the Middle East as a burden on the US policymakers. Had the US not invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, the situation would have been different. He should not forget the threatening words of his predecessor “You are with us or against us.” This sentence forced many countries in the Muslim world to join the so-called war on terror, which changed the course of modern history. This war was imposed on us. The American adventurism only promoted terrorism and extremism across the world.

Anyway, it is heartening to note that under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, the Muslim world is making all-out efforts to form a formidable alliance to counter all kinds of threats the region is currently facing.

The recently concluded “North Thunder” military exercise is the first step toward the formation of a Saudi-led Muslim alliance. The Muslim world should stop looking toward the US or for that matter any foreign power to help resolve their conflicts. In fact, they should also draw red lines and should never allow any so-called superpower to violate those lines. We should also align our foreign policies with new global realities. The report in question indicates that the US is no longer interested in the Middle East and is eyeing Asia. So, let it be. We have all the potential and resources to emerge as a strong bloc as well.