The fallout from WikiLeaks' online posting of classified U.S. documents has been felt worldwide, but most especially in the Middle East.
The leaks reveal in stunning detail the deep mistrust of Iran by Arab Gulf states like Saudi Arabia.
The diplomatic cables reveal what the Arab Gulf states and Saudi Arabia think privately about Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and its nuclear program.
The cables revealed:
- King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, "argued forcefully for taking action to terminate (Iran's) nuclear program by whatever means necessary."
- "I believe (Ahmadinejad) is going to take us to war. It's a matter of time," Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi's crown prince, said.
- Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah told the U.S. that in order to take care of Iran's nuclear program it needed to "cut off the head of the snake."
Ironically, these revelations show that Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab states share a common goal -- destroying Iran's nuclear program.
It also vindicates what Israel has been saying for years -- that Iran is the number one danger in the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made that point to reporters earlier this week.
"This is the first time in modern history that there is not insignificant agreement both in Jerusalem and in countries in the region that the central threat flows from Iran, its hegemonic plans and proliferation steps," Netanyahu said.
After the leak of the sensitive material, it remains to be seen if the Arab Gulf states will plan a military strike against Iran's nuclear program.