Friedman stressed - in statements to the (1/7/2020) episode of "Without Borders" - that American foreign policy in the region has two dimensions, one of which is ideological in dealing with Israel, and the other is related to oil.
He added that Trump's reason for dealing with Israel in this way is due to his need for evangelical Christians who support him in the elections, and Trump formulates his policy according to what the evangelists want and not according to what the Jews want.
As for dealing with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, it uses the special dimension related to oil, and the Middle East has recently shifted from a strategic necessity to a traditional area of interests, and this justifies Trump's repeated talk about the possibility of withdrawing soldiers from the region.
On the Gulf crisis, the blockade of Qatar, and the inconclusive US role in the crisis, Friedman emphasized that American foreign policy failed to bring the Gulf parties to one table, believing that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is the worst foreign minister in the history of the United States.
He stressed that the continuation of the Gulf crisis will not be in the interest of Saudi Arabia in the long run. Rather, it is in the interest of Qatar, which has shown adaptation to the situation imposed on it, calling on the Gulf countries to end the crisis as soon as possible.
He added that the Arab world was complaining in the past about the large number of American interference, noting that the region should prepare for the lack of American interference in it, but he favored the return of balanced US policy to the Middle East in the event Joe Biden wins the presidential elections, asking Muslims to pray for Biden's victory in Friday prayers. .
On the US peace plan in the Middle East, Friedman stressed that the Israelis will not live in peace if the Palestinians also do not live in peace. .