Still looking for the link, but the "if you don't let us, you can take back your airplane" chorus is growing among several airlines who's taste for shiny new jets overwhelmed market capacity realities.

Notwithstanding this current overt threat, the Middle East has been remarkably adept at lobbying the United States. After all, in what other region of the World have Dynastic Rulers persuaded the United States to overthrow Democratically elected leaders* primarily to shore up an oil cartel who's interests oppose that of the United States? Oh, and we did that right after 15 of the 19 September 11th Hijackers were nationals of the Country who's interest we went to war for. One of the others was a UAE National.

Guess how many were from Iraq?

It is an unfortunate commentary that in a land where bribes & inducements get things done, Arab nationals understand the United States better than those of us with Undergraduate Degrees in political science.

* (admittedly a hugely corrupt election, but that was a domestic problem, for their people)