Our members are very concerned about what the failure of this deal means. They haven't wanted to be visible but they're very concerned about the signals the U.S. is sending out.

The message is just an awful one: Support the United States, help out on terrorism, and then we're going to treat you like a terrorist anyway.

That's out of character for the Gulf states. It's more likely they'll just act, and suddenly a deal is off.

Time and time again we have seen that unilateral economic sanctions by the United States do not work. Unilateral measures -- including some bills pending in the U.S. Congress -- would harm relations with our allies without achieving the results we all desire.

It's the law of unintended consequences.