The United States' stature as a leading global power in the Middle East has eroded in recent years. The administration's decision to play a reactive rather than a proactive role in the Middle East created a vacuum in the region that was filled by elements that worked against the interests of the United States and its regional allies. The administration's policy, which was perceived in the region as an abandonment of allies (Egyptian Presidents Mubarak and el-Sisi, and the Gulf states), coupled with its closer ties with Iran, created a crisis of trust between the administration and the Sunni regimes. This negative attitude toward US policy peaked with Sunnis supporting Russian moves aimed at formulating a solution for the crisis in Syria (despite conflicts of interest between them and Moscow in this context), and even arms purchases from Russia and other countries, instead of American weapons (Egypt's purchase of Russia's S-300 missile system, and Saudi Arabia's intention to purchase Russia's S-400 missile system; purchases of French Rafale fighter planes by Egypt and Qatar, and more).
