American Bases in the Middle East: Expensive Monuments of Arab Subservience

Graphics: thecradle.co

1. ⁠The Middle East today is riddled with American military bases planted across sovereign Arab lands under the pretext of “partnership” and “security cooperation.” Yet, when those very lands come under fire, these sprawling installations, brimming with expensive technology and thousands of troops, turn into mute spectators. What logic is there in hosting a supposed superpower’s base if it cannot shield you from aggression? Qatar, a sovereign nation, was recently struck by Israel, and yet the massive American presence within its borders offered no deterrent, no shield, and no response.

2.⁠ ⁠If these bases are genuinely meant to provide security, then their silence in the face of attacks is an indictment of their uselessness. On the other hand, if they are merely staging grounds for Washington’s adventures and assaults against other Muslim nations, then Arab leaders have sold their sovereignty cheaply, trading honor for a hollow promise of protection that never materializes when truly needed. Either way, the arrangement reeks of betrayal.

3. ⁠The people of the region see clearly that these bases are not fortresses for defense but springboards for foreign aggression. From Syria to Iraq, from Yemen to Lebanon, American hardware and intelligence have been deployed not to defend Arabs, but now seen to destabilize and divide them. Yet Arab regimes continue to bend their backs, pretending the bases serve their national interest while the evidence screams otherwise.

4. Take Yemen, a brotherly Islamic nation enduring years of brutal bombardment. Did any Arab host of U.S. bases demand accountability for the role of American weapons and targeting support in the massacre of civilians there? Or look at Syria, where foreign strikes repeatedly pound infrastructure and cities—did these bases lift a finger to stop foreign jets violating Syrian sovereignty? The silence is deafening, the hypocrisy unbearable.

5. ⁠And yet, Arab states welcome more bases, more troops, more “security agreements.” These leaders are quick to issue pompous statements at international summits, but when their neighbors bleed under foreign fire, they shrug, mumble, and retreat into silence. What kind of brotherhood is this? What kind of leadership accepts a foreign boot on its soil while another Muslim nation is crushed?

6. The cowardice extends beyond governments to the collective Arab system. When Palestine burns under bombardment, when Lebanon is threatened, when Iraq and Syria are destabilized, when Yemen is starved, the Arab bloc offers little more than empty words and occasional aid shipments appearing “charitable” and “concerned”. Meanwhile, they allow their soil to be launchpads for the very powers facilitating this destruction. It is shameful, pitiful, and a betrayal of their own people.

7. Those who host American bases and parade them as symbols of modern alliances should be ridiculed for their gullibility—or worse, their complicity. For what is the point of sovereignty if you surrender your land to foreign militaries that neither defend you nor respect your neighbors? Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and others have become landlords of colonial outposts dressed up as “partners in stability.” In truth, they are lapdogs, wagging their tails while their brothers are beaten.

8. The tragedy is compounded by the way these regimes spend billions on imported arms they rarely dare to use, while relying on a foreign shield that repeatedly proves itself illusory. The enemy strikes Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, even Qatar itself, and the American bases sit idle. What message does that send, other than proving that their true mission is not defense but domination?

9.⁠ ⁠Until Arab nations muster the courage to stand for themselves, these bases will remain symbols of humiliation. They are monuments not of protection but of surrender, reminders that sovereignty has been mortgaged to a power that treats its hosts as pawns. Worse, by permitting such bases, Arab rulers share in the crimes committed against their fellow Muslims, allowing their land to be used as staging grounds for wars of terror.

10. The time has come to call things by their real names: American bases in the Middle East are useless for defense, destructive for unity, and humiliating for sovereignty. 

11. The longer Arab leaders tolerate them, the longer they will remain complicit in the bleeding of their own region. Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and now even Qata; these are not isolated cases, but proof that dependence on foreign bases is nothing but a dangerous oasis in desert dream.

12. Middle Eastern men are usually proud of their musculinity, but in these circumstances perhaps the Arab leaders might trade their “Igal and Keffiyah” for a “Bedlah”, judging by the way they defend their region.

Time To Leave The Table Before The Feast Turns Rotten

UMNO entered this so-called Unity Government not out of desperation, but out of duty, honouring the former King’s decree to bring stability to a fractured nation. We took our place at the table in good faith, believing our voice would matter, our principles would be respected, and our struggle would be upheld. Yet, what we see today is a government that defies the very monarch who crowned it, tramples on the unspoken courtesies between partners, sidelines the Malay agenda, and treats UMNO as political window dressing. We are not here to be complicit in betrayal, nor to play second fiddle in a marriage that has lost its respect.

1. Upholding the King’s Decree

UMNO’s entry into the Unity Government was in large part due to the explicit wish of the then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who sought political stability through our cooperation with Pakatan Harapan. Yet, the current administration’s defiance of His Majesty’s addendum on Najib Razak’s house arrest is a direct affront to the very monarch who bestowed legitimacy on this government. Remaining in the Cabinet under these circumstances risks UMNO being seen as complicit in undermining the monarchy’s authority.

2. Insult to UMNO’s Dignity

The acceptance of Tengku Zafrul into PKR was not just bad manners, it was a slap across UMNO’s face. It told the world that our boundaries mean nothing, that anyone can betray UMNO today and find a red carpet waiting for them in Pakatan Harapan tomorrow. And if we swallow this without action, then we signal that UMNO’s honour is cheap.

3. A Marriage in Constant Quarrel

This so-called “Unity” is unity in name only. We have coalition partners who openly mock UMNO leaders, belittle our grassroots, and challenge our positions on policies that affect our people. We are treated less like partners and more like troublesome in-law, tolerated but never respected.

4. Preserving UMNO’s Honour

Remaining in the Cabinet without meaningful influence risks reducing UMNO to a political accessory, present for optics but powerless in decision making. Stepping out of the Cabinet now would be an act of principle, signalling to our members and the rakyat that positions and perks are secondary to honour and conviction.

5. Distancing from Policy Failures

This administration has made contentious decisions such as ambiguous economic recovery measures, weak cost of living interventions, and inconsistent foreign policy stances that are increasingly unpopular among the rakyat. If we remain in Cabinet, every bad decision will have UMNO’s fingerprints on it. 

6.Demonstrating Loyalty to the Original Royal Mandate

Our loyalty to the former King was in fulfilling his wish to ensure stability at a moment of national uncertainty. That mission has been carried out. However, loyalty to that decree does not require blind compliance with all subsequent actions by the government, especially when they run contrary to UMNO’s principles and the monarchy’s dignity. 

7. Guarding UMNO’s Soul

UMNO is the shield of Islam, the guardian of the monarchy, the defender of the Malay race, and the protector of our Tanahair. If we keep bending to the whims of partners who neither share nor respect these values, we risk becoming unrecognisable even to our own members. Withdrawal is not abandonment of duty but a necessary correction to protect our legacy. 

8. Sending a Clear Message to the Rakyat

By stepping out of Cabinet but keeping the government afloat in Parliament, UMNO sends an unmistakable message,  ie, we are not afraid to sacrifice power for principle. We will cooperate for stability, but we will not sell our soul for a seat at the table. 

9.Sacrificing Borrowed Power for Long-term Credibility

Comfortable ministerial positions and GLC appointments are fleeting. What endures is the perception of UMNO’s integrity. By relinquishing these trappings of borrowed power and ending our role as a “loose supporting actress” in this government, we restore our credibility, morale, and the respect of our supporters, positioning UMNO for a stronger future. 

10. Power Is Borrowed, But Honour Is Ours, And We Must Not Trade It For Anyone’s Convenience.

DATUK TENGKU PUTRA HARON AMINURRASHID JUMAT
UMNO Membership 01059553
Johor.

Happy Birthday, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak

23 July 2025

1. It is difficult to wish this extraordinary gentleman a Happy Birthday while he remains behind bars, when in past decades, I had the privilege of wishing him personally, whether at Langgak Duta, Sri Satria, or Sri Perdana.

2. As he approaches three years in detention, still enduring thousands of hours in the halls of justice, the people are beginning to see, more clearly than ever, the calm resolve and intellectual patriotism that define his character.

3. He has never called his supporters to the streets. He has never urged for riots or chaos in his name. He has not ridiculed nor desecrated those currently in government, some of whom were once his own allies,  despite their tireless efforts to frustrate his path to justice.  

4. That, perhaps, is the mark of a man raised with integrity, shaped by noble values, and anchored in a distinguished family legacy, unlike the pariahs who sully the national stage with bitterness and vengeance.

5. Seven years have passed since his abrupt departure from office and is ample time for Malaysians to witness, firsthand, and to judge the competence (or lack thereof) of the four Prime Ministers who have followed. 

6. In comparison, Najib’s era stands out for its delivery of promises, its focus on rising prosperity, its protection of rakyat welfare, and for elevating Malaysia’s image on the world stage.

7. As Malaysia’s 6th Prime Minister, his legacy includes bold national transformation programs, ambitious infrastructure development, and a vision for economic progress and global recognition. Whether admired for his policies or remembered for his unwavering dedication to Barisan Nasional, Dato’ Sri Najib’s impact continues to be deeply felt across the nation.

8. By all fair measure, Dato’ Sri Najib is, after his father Tun Abdul Razak the finest Prime Minister Malaysia has known.

9. Time will tell whether true justice will be returned to him, and whether our nation’s politics will find its correction.

10. Until then, we say this with unwavering faith:

11. Keep With The Struggle And Hold Strongly To Your Faith, Sir.

12. Happy Birthday, Bossku.

UMNO MUST QUIT CABINET IF DEFECTORS ARE WELCOMED, SAYS PARTY LOYALIST

FULL STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO should withdraw from Cabinet positions if the unity government accepts political defectors who betrayed the party, while still holding the government accountable.

Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurashid Jumat, a hard core UMNO loyalist and former BN Johor State Assemblyman for Kempas, said the party must not support policies that harm public welfare and should actively oppose defectors in future elections. 

UMNO, he said, should insist on being treated as an equal partner, not exploited or sidelined.

“If PKR or any member of the unity government accepts political defectors who have betrayed UMNO, then we should vacate our seats in the Cabinet while continuing to serve as vigilant overseers within the Government.


“We should also cease to be executively complicit in the administration’s policies if they are detrimental to the social welfare of the masses,” he said in support of Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin’s statement for its partners in the unity government not to accept party leaders and members looking to defect. 

In his speech when opening the Batu Pahat Umno division delegates meeting today, Khaled had warned that doing so will undermine political stability and mutual trust.

Without naming names, he said such behaviour could weaken the coalition's cohesion and must not be encouraged.

Datuk Tengku Putra also said “if these defectors from UMNO contest in any upcoming by-election, regardless of government backing, UMNO must field our own candidates to challenge and defeat them at the polls. We cannot allow our party to be used as a stepping stone by ingrates seeking to rise politically in other parties.


“We are equal partners, not subordinates or concubines, to be exploited for the benefit of others in this government,” he said,

On May 30, UMNO Supreme Council member Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced he was leaving Umno and joining PKR.

He tendered his resignation as an Umno supreme council member, a Kota Raja division leader and a party member. He had been an Umno member since 1997.

Ends.

THE MALAYSIAN FLAG

By Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid Jumat

1. When the late Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore, was asked how he successfully managed a disciplined city-state with a multiracial and multi-religious background, he simply replied, “Swift prosecution!” 

2. That, he emphasized, was the key to maintaining respect for the Constitution and harmony among citizens. 

3. Below are examples of swift prosecutions carried out by the Singaporean authorities—without endless investigations or perceived interference from political parties with vested interests. 

4. As long as the Malaysian government continues to tiptoe around sensitive issues for fear of losing votes, true peace in this country will remain elusive. 

5. Stern action MUST be taken against any provocateur—regardless of background—and they must be made an example of so that no one dares to test the limits with seditious tendencies in the future. 

6. Too many gaffes have occurred recently—most of which have insulted the Muslim faith—only to be followed by hollow apologies. 

7. The latest: the Malaysian flag depicted without the crescent moon, which symbolizes Islam as the religion of the federation. 

8. To make matters worse, the Chinese national flag was shown in perfect form, while ours was desecrated—by a Malaysian media outlet of the Chinese-language stream. 

9. It would not be unreasonable to question where their loyalties truly lie, especially on the very day Xi Jinping was in town. 

10. Yet another example of their bias can be seen on their front pages, shown below. 

11. This was published the day after the coronation of the Sultan of Johor—an event that hadn’t taken place in 55 years. I leave it to you to decide where their allegiance lies. 

12. Ironically, that very Sultan is now His Majesty the King of Malaysia. Long Live the King! 

13. The blatant violation of our national flag—displayed at a Ministry of Education event, no less—is dangerously becoming a trend. This cannot be tolerated. Those responsible must be punished swiftly and severely. Let’s take a page from the Singapore playbook if we truly seek national unity. 

14. These perpetrators have given real meaning to the phrase “a thousand apologies”—what was once just a figure of speech. They seem to fall back on it repeatedly for gaffes that are increasingly hard to believe are genuine mistakes. 1

5. Well, mistakes are just that—if you choose to believe in them. But when they morph into seditious provocations, followed by endless apologies, often accepted by gullible and overly forgiving leaders, they become a threat to national security.

No More “Charity” For MCA

1. UMNO must reclaim the Malay majority seats of Air Hitam and Tanjung Piai, which we allowed MCA to contest out of our misplaced camaraderie. 

2. Ours has been a party of compassion since decades. Often this trait gets exploited by ingrates taking it for granted. 

3. Since 2009, MCA has been taking potshots at UMNO to the point that we have become a punching bag for them, conveniently claiming that we are the reason for their failure to win back Chinese votes. 

4. While UMNO does not sleep with nor support PAS when they want to impose drastic “Islamic” laws that might hurt the feelings and way of life of the non-Muslims, MCA seems to have no qualms about embracing DAP and the Chinese chauvinistic NGOs in questioning the sensitivities of Malay Muslims taking advantage of our sensibility in the name of their race. 

5. To the best of my knowledge, no Malay BN candidates have stood in any Chinese-dominated constituencies, while there were many Chinese and Indian BN candidates who stood in Malay-dominated ones. This is testament that the Malays are a sensible lot and were responsible for placing them in Parliament.

6. Two glaring cases are that of Air Hitam and Tanjung Piai. They are the only seats in Parliament won by MCA, and on the backs of Malay voters. The other one is Tapah won by MIC. 

7. While many may think MCA stayed with Barisan Nasional out of loyalty and camaraderie, on the contrary, they have no choice but to stick or be damned into oblivion on its own, having no chance with DAP being the dominant Chinese party in West Malaysia. 

8. In GE15, approximately 95% of the Chinese voters in the Peninsula supported our opposition, which clearly meant that even the majority of their own party pathetically voted against them. 

9. Gone are the days when we dismiss their operatives’ attempts to offend us while they “pretend” to disavow or apologise for it . They’ve cried wolf too many times in our books. 

10. We shouldn’t tolerate wolves in sheepskin among us anymore, especially when their existence in Parliament is at our behest. 

11. We can win our battles facing our enemies on our own without the “fake friendly fires” in our midst.

12. Our Final Advice To The MCA Is To Tow The Line Of Unity In The Barisan Nasional. Stop Playing With Identity Politics, Or Just Ship Out!