It’s not news that overwhelmingly, the Arab nations of the Middle East are freaked out about Iran’s gradually becoming a nuclear power. Iran is a crazy place and who wants a crazy neighbor with nuclear weapons? (Do you see any raised hands?)

President Trump is therefore working to create a new security and political alliance with Egypt, Jordan, and six Gulf Arab states. The idea is to counter Iran’s regional expansion. By deepening cooperation between the U.S. and these nations on a variety of issues: defensive, economic, and diplomatic, hope to have a stronger front against the despotic Iranian regime.

For now, the alliance will be called the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) and a summit is tentatively planned in Washington for October 12-13.