Obama Swings Through the U.K.

     Mr. Obama visited royalty this weekend in the U.K.  He was on hand for Her Majesty Elizabeth II's 90th birthday-a memorable day all around.  The Obamas also enjoyed a dinner with Prince Andrew and his wife, Kate Middleton, at Kensington.  To round things out, he visited prime Minister David Cameron and offered a few words of advice. To wit- Mr. Obama thinks that the U.K. should stay in the European Union because it is a keystone for the bloc and essential for its future viability and its economic success.  This is tied to the fundamental reality of the relationship between the USA and the U.K.  Obama also said it would be difficult to negotiate trade agreements with a newly independent U.K.   This last statement set off a barrage of comments, beginning with Mr. Boris Johnson, Mayor of the City of London and a dual national(holds an American passport).  Essentially, he told Mr. Obama to 'butt' out.
      This meeting came on the heels of Mr. Obama's visit to the city of Riyhad where the President conferred with the members of the royal family.  In an apparent snub, King Salman did not greet the President upon his arrival.  The subject of their discussions centered on Iran and its role in the Middle East.  The Saudis are feeling just a bit vulnerable?  Will they have to take a back seat to an emergent Iran recently freed from America's sanctions?  Iran will be the dominant country in the region; Saudi Arabia is much smaller and not nearly as advanced in domestic product, education, or population.  Long dependent on the good relations with the US, the country must now acknowledge a different relation going forward.   Not easy as things in the neighborhood continue to boil over, especially in Syria, Turkey, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, and Afghanistan/Iraq.  Mr. Obama's visit came on the day after the Prime Minister of Italy met with the rulers in Iran to discuss legal options to engage in financial activities during the coming year.   Both countries want more trade immediately.   Mr. Renzi looked to be a study in diplomacy, sitting between to Arabs complete with white robes as he engaged while in a conservative, dark suit.