Wealth, commercial negotiations, and a $400 million airplane from Qatar: Key insights from Trump's Middle East visit.
Rewritten Article:
A Pragmatic Approach: Trump's Middle East Trip and the Balance of Interests
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump's Middle East tour, marking the start of his second term, emphasized a practical, self-interested approach to international relations, with a focus on economic and security alliances instead of ethical values.
Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, lasting four eventful days, underlined this transactional approach to foreign affairs. He was warmly welcomed by authoritarian leaders, who showered him with grand state visits, where economic and security partnerships took center stage.
Amid ongoing global conflicts, such as Gaza and Ukraine, the trip highlighted the boundaries of Trump's influence. Yet, Trump insisted he was turning a new chapter on American interventionism in the region as he recognized the new Syrian government for the first time and spurred Iran towards nuclear negotiations before it's too late.
Here are some key takeaways from Trump's Middle Eastern odyssey:
Pressing Pause on Human Rights Chat
Typically, presidential trips to the Middle East feature public calls for governments to improve their human rights records. But during this visit, Trump eschewed such calls, instead marveling at the wealth of Gulf royals and appreciating their extravagant palaces.
Trump toured the elaborate, opulent residences of Gulf rulers, pronouncing them "perfecto" and "hard to buy." He praised both the Saudi skyline and the city infrastructure, while subtly criticizing Air Force One for being "much less impressive."
At a VIP business conference in Riyadh, Trump distanced himself from the actions of previous administrations, hinting at an American preference for non-intervention in the affairs of foreign governments.
Rights advocates perceived Trump's remarks as a promise to maintain neutrality despite occasional pressure past U.S. presidents have exerted on partners regarding human rights issues. Saudi dissident Abdullah Alaoudh, whose father, a prominent Saudi cleric, is imprisoned in the kingdom, characterized the approach as "absolute support for absolute monarchy."
Behind Closed Doors
While Trump was in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose not to attend direct peace talks with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite Trump's repeated calls for a face-to-face meeting.
Trump has been advocating for Putin and Zelenskyy to move quickly to end Russia's conflict in Ukraine. However, after Putin communicated that he would not attend the planned meeting in Turkey, an exasperated Trump claimed he had never expected Putin's attendance.
Emphasizing the need for a resolution, Trump declared, "Too many people are dying," and announced that the face-to-face would happen as soon as the appropriate arrangements were made.
Carrots Before Sticks
Prior to meeting Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, the Trump administration had expressed doubts about his legitimacy to govern Syria's diverse population. Clashes at the beginning of March, targeting the Alawite religious minority, made the administration hesitant about easing sanctions on Syria.
Despite these concerns, Trump seemed to change his mind, expressing a willingness to lift the sanctions and meet al-Sharaa. He praised the Syrian leader as a "young, attractive guy" with a "strong past."
Trump attributed his decision to al-Sharaa to recommendations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Orating Falsies
Throughout his Middle Eastern journey, Trump displayed a penchant for overstatements and exaggerations. Claiming that he had secured trillions of dollars' worth of investment for the U.S., he subsequently adjusted the figure to $4 trillion. However, the combined GDPs of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are only a fraction of that amount, indicating that any announced investments are likely to be distributed over several years.
Trump's rhetoric concerning the economic record of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, also raised eyebrows, with Trump declaring that the U.S. would soon enjoy "the greatest economy in the history of the world." While the U.S. economy grew at 2.8% in 2020, it contracted by 0.3% during the first quarter of 2021.
Intractable Unrest
Initially conceived as a reward for countries that invest in the U.S., the trip yielded few breakthroughs in resolving ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Trump barely mentioned these conflicts, restricted to oblique remarks about their absence under his earlier administration.
As Israel intensified its bombardment of Gaza ahead of a promised full takeover of the territory if Hamas fails to release its remaining hostages, Trump suggested the creation of a "freedom zone" in Gaza, an idea rejected by Palestinians and the broader Arab world because it involves relocating civilians from Gaza to facilitate rebuilding.
Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
Trump's efforts to persuade Iran to engage in nuclear talks received mixed reactions, with some Iranian officials expressing a willingness to engage while others voiced skepticism. While the outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, Trump has emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement before it's too late.
Ethical Questions Looming
Trump faced questions about potential conflicts of interest as he shaped U.S. policy in the Middle East while his family's business interests in the region have flourished. He attempted to quell concerns about national security breaches and constitutional issues by dismissing criticism, claiming that accepting a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar to use as Air Force One was a smart move.
Additionally, the Trump family has secured numerous real estate and property deals in the Middle East, prompting speculation about the influence these profits might have on the President's decision-making process. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed these concerns, describing them as "frankly ridiculous."
[1] A. Heilbrunn, Conflicts of Interest Loom as Trump Travels the Middle East. Truthdig (2021). [Online]. Available: https://www.truthdig.com/articles/conflicts-of-interest-loom-as-trump-travels-the-middle-east/
[2] S. Madhani, AP News. Lack of Criticism on Gulf Human Rights Marks Trump's Middle East Trip. Associated Press (2021). [Online]. Available: https://apnews.com/article/81e16809d5844a39b481632c683c8b5f
- The economy, business, and media focused on the transactional approach taken by President Trump during his Middle East trip, with an emphasis on economic and security alliances rather than ethical values.
- During his visit, Trump avoided discussing human rights issues in favor of praising the wealth and lavish living of Gulf leaders, leading rights advocates to perceive his remarks as a promise to maintain neutrality on human rights matters.
- In Toronto, sports news outlets reported on the impact of Trump's Middle East policy on global economic trends, with commentary on the potential for increased business investment in the region.
- As the Middle East trip concluded, government officials began discussing the policy implications of Trump's approach, with some calling for stricter law and policy implementation to address ethical concerns, while others supported a more pragmatic, self-interested approach.
