Several observers are questioning Donald Trump’s cognitive faculties, the day after new statements from the American president who threatened to “pulverize” Oman, which is nevertheless an ally of the United States.
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For Miloud Chennoufi, professor of international relations at the Canadian Forces College and researcher at the Middle East Observatory, these comments from the tenant of the White House do not mean that he no longer has his wits about him.
“Trump has this tendency to react with his guts. When we react with our guts, we don’t take the time to think. Oman is far, very far from being an enemy of the United States. And among the Gulf countries, it is one of the most responsible actors. Why? Because it is a state which therefore promotes stability in the region, unlike other Gulf monarchies which fuel instability in several countries,” the expert explained in an interview with LCN.
Capture d’écran LCNÂ
The latter also emphasizes that Oman played an important role in mediation between the United States and Iran in the past.
“I cannot explain, other than through thoughtlessness, the fact that the President of the United States threatens to annihilate a country like the Sultanate of Oman,” maintains Miloud Chennoufi.
“Beyond the cognitive abilities that might be diminishing – I don’t really know about Trump – it is clear that this is not a gentleman who has become known for being a cerebral, intellectual person, curious about the world, and who would understand a region in which he would like play a historical role. And when you don’t know the complexity of a situation, the chances are high that you’ll do something stupid.”
On Thursday, the American Minister of Finance, Scott Bessent, threatened to sanction the Sultanate of Oman.
“The United States government will not tolerate any attempt to establish a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote on X.
To see the full interview, watch the video above.
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