By Phil Stewart

ABU DHABI, Reuters – As he concluded a Friday visit to the United Arab Emirates, the new U.S. General in charge of American forces there said that allies are concerned about the long-term U.S. commitment.

U.S. Army Major Michael “Erik” Kurilla took control of Central Command last week and now compiles a 90-day evaluation of U.S. military operations in an area that used to be the center of U.S. foreign policy.

After stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Egypt on Friday, Friday’s visit was completed.

Kurilla shared that the tone of my engagements with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE was direct and stark. He said this to reporters who were traveling along him.

Washington in the Gulf has created tension between Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Iran by not addressing their concerns regarding regional rival Iran. They also failed to resolve their concern about Iran’s support for war in Yemen, and have imposed conditions on U.S. weapon sales.

The United States also reduced its presence in the area, both naval and ground, over time.

More mistrust is building in the Middle East since the Arab uprisings 2011. Gulf rulers were surprised at Obama’s decision to abandon Hosni Mobarak, Egypt’s former President after a 30-year alliance. He also allowed him to fall while ignoring concerns from the Gulf rulers regarding the Muslim Brotherhood.

Kurilla’s trip to Cairo was less than four months following President Joe Biden’s announcement that $130 million of military assistance to Egypt would be cut due to human rights concerns. This was an unusual censure for a strategic ally who controls the Suez Canal.

Kurilla met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and stressed that the United States is a reliable ally.

I visited three countries that we share strategic alliances. Kurilla shared the following message: The United States is a trustworthy partner in this country and that our relationship with them is solid.

Kurilla, the de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (known as MbZ) met in Abu Dhabi. Reuters reports that Biden irritated MbZ in not calling MbZ quickly following the Houthis’ attack on UAE in January.

Kurilla stated that his evaluation would also include gaps in these relationships.

Kurilla had talks in Saudi Arabia with Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister. Kurilla stated that the Kingdom was well-positioned for the future, and he looked forward to maintaining military partnerships.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman felt irritated by Biden refusing to speak directly with him because of 2018’s murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The U.S. intelligence reported implicated the Prince, but he denies any involvement.