Yes, the conversation of the minute is the deluge of cables sent back from most if not all American diplomatic missions around the world to their mothership, the State Department, who seems interested in every little detail which could be elicited by whatever means possible about political actors. This is a legitimate exercise and has been so from time immemorial. Having them published, however, is not. Spies are employed the world over at great cost to intercept those communiqués for their paymasters in order for them have a glimpse into the minds of nations, and hope through that, gain some kind of leverage against them, should that be necessary. With cablegate, the Americans have now become more exposed, somewhat benignly when all is considered, but there is no guarantee that what remains in Julian Assange’s copious inbox will allow the situation to remain as such.

To me, and staying on the micro level of the Arabian Gulf, the depth of hatred and suspicion shown by the Gulf’s political leaders is not shocking in itself, for us locals, we have known this for millennia, what is shocking; however, is the resolute trust given to American officials by sharing with them their unadulterated thoughts and the seemingly greater trust that those very thoughts will be cherished, encapsulated and be read by only the anointed higher echelons of those in the American administration which was evidenced by the apparent comfort at which those thoughts were delivered. Had they known that two and a half million pairs of eyes within that sphere will have access to them, some of whom are as young as twenty-two while some are possibly even younger, I wonder if they would have tempered them somewhat. From reading the various cables, I doubt that. They, it seems, continue to naively fly into the direction of the light and be absorbed by it. I’m not sure if its the thoughts of redemption and salvation which spurs them on in that direction, or the genuine belief that America will unerringly contribute to their reigns’ longevity.

Disappointment. Elation. Anger. Disbelief. Denial. Are all feelings I have observed from people around me since the leaks have sprung. Each either shoring up their self-built and maintained image of the region’s rulers and others displayed happiness that what they have suspected for years have finally been vindicated through the direct and underlying content of those telegrams.

To me, looking through available cables emanating from Bahrain so far, I am left somewhat peeved, but understanding of what our leaders have echoed: Iran’s nuclear threat is real and destabelising. However, I continue to be nagged by what I believe those leaks have also exposed: are the leaders thoughts only concerned with the security impact of having a nuclear capable Iran on the people of their countries, or are they more concerned that the perceived explosion of Shi’a influence such a state can bring will detonate their thrones?

In all the cases, I suggest that while the current Iran and its nuclear capability most certainly pose a threat to global security and it must be politically dealt with, the real thing which seems to readily escape the Arab leaders is that their security and longevity of rule lies not in that, but in the empowerment of their own countrymen. Should they wish to solidify their rule and continue in their thrones, it is incumbent upon them alone to allow their countrymen to be real citizens enjoying global values of rights and responsibilities, and hold those in power – all of them – responsible and accountable to their citizens. This will work, but knowing how things are here, will most probably not happen.

Not with the current crop anyway.