Trump is circling the drain with his constant self-conflict, and the Saudis just said no, they would not allow him use of its bases and airspace.

One Saudi diplomat said it was obvious for a long time the US had landed itself in a conflict which it could neither escalate or exit.

There had been surprise on Tuesday when, after spending two days building up the significance of Project Freedom, Trump posted a message reversing course. He claimed the operation was being halted for a short period of time by mutual agreement because great progress had been made towards a deal with Iran, partly due to the intervention of China. He said the suspension would allow time to see whether an agreement could be reached.

Trump made no reference to Saudi objections, or to the denial of airspace. His surprise decision had also undercut a day of heavy messaging [that] … the operation would finally guarantee freedom of navigation for the hundreds of ships stranded in the strait. The plan had been for the US blockade of Iranian ports to continue.

Trump spent days boasting of his plan, which had no approval and failed before it even started.

The Saudis know first hand that the “sitting duck” President keeps slipping and falling. They just watched Iran destroy 16 American military bases, wiping out force projection. Of course they want nothing more to do with a military that doesn’t even defend its own.