Spotlight: U.S., Middle East allies increasingly drift apart

Though much expected to underscore their partnership, the two-day summit between the United States and the Gulf nations has turned out to be that the two sides are becoming increasingly estranged following recent developments in the region.

In a sign that members of the Cooperation Council nations (GCC) may have a different thought from that of the United States over these issues, several state leaders from the region declined to attend the get-together at the U.S. presidential retreat of Camp David, sending only ministerial-level representatives.

Besides U.S. President Barack Obama, who chose Camp David as the venue to add some intimacy to the summit, the only other two heads of state attending the event were the emirs of Qatar and Kuwait.

The most notable absence was Saudi King Salman. The monarch told Obama over phone on Sunday that he would not be able to attend the event as planned and would send Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman instead.

The White House and Saudi officials denied the claim that the king's change of travel plan was to shun Obama. But analysts say Saudi Arabia is obviously discontent with the U.S. role in the ongoing Iran nuclear talks and its "lack of decisiveness" in the face of extremist group the Islamic State (IS).

In an apparent attempt to assuage security concerns of the Gulf states, Obama said Thursday that the United States is prepared to work jointly with the Gulf nations to "deter and confront" any external threat to their territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the UN Charter.

In the event of such aggression, the United States stands ready to work with Gulf nations to "urgently determine what actions may be appropriate, using the means at our collective disposal, including the potential use of military force" for the defense of the Gulf nations, Obama said.

Obama also said the United States will increase security cooperation with Gulf nations to meet the full range of threats, particularly terrorism, and help them improve their own capacity to defend themselves.

At the press conference, Obama said the Gulf leaders agreed that a comprehensive and verifiable solution to Iran's nuclear issue is in the interest of their nations.

While noting that the region faces a range of threats including Iran's "destabilizing activities," Obama emphasized that the purpose of U.S.-Gulf security cooperation is not to "perpetuate any long-term confrontation with Iran or even to marginalize Iran."

"We welcome an Iran that plays a responsible role in the region," Obama said, calling on Iran to take concrete steps to build trust and resolve differences with its neighbors.

Despite that the Obama administration wishes to leave a respectable political legacy by concluding a deal on Iran, the White House faces pressure not only from the U.S. traditional Gulf allies, but also from the Capitol Hill.

The U.S. Congress on Thursday passed a bill which assures lawmakers have the right to review, and perhaps reject, any nuclear deal that Obama reaches with Iran.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce said the bill would prevent "a bad deal" since the Congress "will be in a much better position to judge any final agreement." Endi