Washington has made a choice. And they chose the sun, the sand, and the oil. Patriot missile batteries are being ripped out of Europe and shipped to the Gulf. The message is clear. Eastern Europe is officially passé. Protecting Dubai’s fuel reserves and champagne ice is the only priority that matters now.

The jet set in the Emirates are breathing a sigh of relief. Iranian drones were getting a little too close for comfort. Now, the VIP energy corridors have a world-class shield. Sorry, Ukraine. The party has moved.

This is the new global triage. Security is now a concierge service. If you have the energy, you get the protection. Europe’s defense gaps are just the price of doing business. As long as the tankers keep moving and the lights stay on in the Burj, the Pentagon is happy. It’s not about democracy. It’s about the flow.