U.S. Middle East Policy Undergoes Transformation by Donald Trump. Is Diplomatic Dealing a Viable Alternative?
Donald Trump's New Vision for US Foreign Policy in the Middle East
President Donald Trump made it clear during his tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates that a fresh American foreign policy is on the cards, grounded in his favorite art of the deal.
Trump declared that there'd be no more "morality lessons" as the region has accomplished a "miracle in the Arabian way."
Breaking with his predecessors, Trump took aim at the widely criticized neo-cons who oversaw aggressive US military interventions in the region and beyond.
"In the end, these self-proclaimed nation builders ended up tearing apart more countries than they built," Trump told an investment forum in Riyadh, the first stop on his tour of the Gulf.
"Far too many American presidents believed it was their job to help foreign leaders correct their wrongs," he added, implicitly referring to targets like former president Joe Biden and George W. Bush.
The shift in U.S. policy towards the Middle East, signaled by Trump's speech in Riyadh, has sparked keen interest among analysts and regional leaders alike.
Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy said, "Trump's Riyadh speech marked a clear and significant shift in US policy toward the Middle East."
"By rejecting the legacy of military intervention and nation-building, he indicated a move towards realism and moderation. This shift resonates deeply in a region that's had its fill of chaos and foreign interference."
However, Trump's plan entails ignoring democracy and human rights issues, and aligning more closely with autocratic leaders like Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince was implicated by US intelligence in the brutal 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, yet the incident went unmentioned in Riyadh.
Instead, Trump pushed his typical brand of luxury, self-serving politics. The Saudi kingdom, Qatar, and the UAE showered Trump with massive business and investment deals during his visit, buying his praise and glamorizing his first major foreign trip.
Trump's visit also raised tensions within the U.S.'s long-standing commitment to Israel. He skirted around Israel, appearing to sideline Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on crucial issues such as Iran's nuclear program, Israel's war in Gaza, and Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Trump's transactional approach may test its limits soon. Despite interests in negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program, Trump has also threatened to launch military action if Iran doesn't comply.
Moreover, Trump left the region without progress on ending the conflict in Gaza, despite pledging to bring peace. Meanwhile, his efforts to arrange talks in Istanbul with Russia's Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine fell through.
Trump's 'peace through strength' strategy does have its inconsistencies. At a visit to a huge US airbase in Qatar, Trump claimed, "My goal is to end conflicts, not start them." Yet, he quickly added, "I will never hesitate to wield American power if necessary to protect the U.S. of America or our allies."
(This story has not been edited by our website staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Key Insights:
- Trump is shifting the U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East towards political alliances with oil-rich leaders, like Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- The U.S. secured over $2 trillion in investment agreements with Gulf states, enhancing economic cooperation and stability
- Trump's administration is pursuing truces and hostage deals in the Middle East, and has made diplomatic efforts towards Iran, aiming for reduced tensions and more diplomatic solutions
- The sidelining of Israel in recent agreements has strained U.S.-Israel relations, promoting Israel to seek alternative alliances or strategies
- Trump's shift in focus towards engaging various Middle Eastern countries and reassessing traditional strategies may reshape regional power dynamics, but the success and sustainability of these policies remain uncertain.
- The shift in US foreign policy under President Trump, as seen in his Riyadh speech, is aimed at fostering political alliances with oil-rich leaders, such as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- During his tour of the Gulf, the US secured over $2 trillion in investment agreements with countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, enhancing economic cooperation and stability in the region.
- Trump's administration is pursuing truces and hostage deals in the Middle East, and has made diplomatic efforts towards Iran, aiming for reduced tensions and more diplomatic solutions.
- The sidelining of Israel in recent agreements has strained US-Israel relations, prompting Israel to seek alternative alliances or strategies. This shift in focus towards engaging various Middle Eastern countries and reassessing traditional strategies may reshape regional power dynamics, but the success and sustainability of these policies remain uncertain.
