SAUDIS SNUB OBAMA:  Saudi King Salman has pulled out of an Arab summit hosted by King President Obama on Thursday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayif will attend instead.  Obama had planned one-on-one time with King Salman, so his pullout suggests tension with the Obama Administration. Bahrainian King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also pulled out on Sunday.

The invited nations are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. According to the White House announcement of the summit issued on April 17, “The gathering will be an opportunity for the leaders to discuss ways to enhance their partnership and deepen security cooperation.” A key item on the agenda was discussion of the nuclear deal with Iran.

Guess the Saudis don’t want to waste their time discussing a nuclear deal they know will ineluctably lead to a nuclear Iran, and they have already signaled an intent to developing their own nuclear arsenal in response.  Way to go, Obama: We are now facing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.  I’m sure that will work out just fine.