7 Findings from Trump's Middle East trip
7 Findings from Trump's Middle East trip
The former President Donald Trump left the Middle East on Friday and praised economic agreements, while he was the key to a peaceful solution to many global conflicts.
trip to the Gulf States
His four-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates revealed a president who continued both old habits-the preference for festivities and flattery as well as the protocol of the office-as well as new approaches. Trump’s Agenda was targeted and strongly focused on business qualifications, while the chaotic conditions that shaped his first term were largely over. Nevertheless, some global challenges remained unsolved during this week, since the war of Russia in Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Hamas as well as the nuclear tensions with Iran produced instability in the background.
"Economy instead of chaos"
on his journey from Riad via Doha to Abu Dhabi, Trump fully accepted the transactional nature of his foreign policy. For him, the businessman and the peace pitcher are one and the same person. "A new generation of leaders overcomes the old conflicts and tired divisions of the past and forge a future in which the Middle East is characterized by trade and not by chaos," said Trump during a speech in Saudi Arabia. He called for a world of "technology, not terrorism" in which people of different nations, religions and beliefs build cities together instead of destroying each other.
These clear words sharpened the focus on its foreign policy goals. This became particularly obvious when Trump announced a significant change in US foreign policy and lifted the sanctions against Syria to give the country a chance of size. "It is your time to shine," said Trump. "We raise all sanctions. Good luck Syria, show us something very special." At a later point it became clear that it was a temporary suspension of the sanctions before a permanent cancellation could be requested.
conversations with Putin
One of the greatest challenges remains to achieve a personal commitment from President Vladimir Putin for peace talks about Ukraine. "We have to meet," said Trump. "He and I will meet and I think we will solve it - or maybe not." However, this was not the sharp tone that Trump often strikes towards his foreign colleagues. Putin has repeatedly postponed Trump's expectations, which in turn has repeatedly granted him advance laurels. The situation remains frustrating for the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, since he and other European leaders contact Trump to convince him that the pressure on Russia must be maintained.
During his trip,Trump played with the idea of traveling to Turkey to personally convey the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. But when Putin did not announced a visit, the president fell by the wayside. One of the most burning questions that the White House is now deals with is: When will Trump and Putin meet? Or when will Trump make clear decisions?
restrictions on large conflicts
The problems with Russia were not the only example that illustrated the restrictions of his most ambitious goals during Trump's journey. Efforts for an armistice and an agreement between Israel and Hamas are also only slow. Trump would have liked to present great agreement between Israel and Hamas during his trip and might even have planned a detour to Israel. However, the conflict threatens to escalate, since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to start an intensified phase of the war in the Gaza Strip after Trump's journey, which reflects the lack of progress.
Although Trump remains optimistic about the prospects for an atomic agreement with Iran, the complicated negotiations seem far from a solution. According to information, the Trump administration expects an answer from Iran to a proposal that was discussed last weekend. On Thursday in Doha, the president indicated that the negotiators were "very close" in a deal and that Iran gave the conditions "a kind of approval".
rare recognition of Democrats
Usually Trump's sharpest critics are the Democrats, but in this case several of them praised his decision to highlight decades of sanctions against Syria and to meet with the new Syrian guide. This support came from prominent politicians such as Leon Panetta and the MP Jim Himes. Himes admitted that Trump had mastered most of the trip through the Middle East.
Trump travels Solo
Unlike his trip to Saudi Arabia in 2017, in which his wife Melania Trump was present, the president traveled alone this time. This enabled him to spend a lot of time with kings, princes and managing directors until the late hours. In general, his family plays a reduced role in his second term. His eldest daughter Ivanka Trump, who was an important consultant during his first term, has withdrawn from politics. Although his son -in -law Jared Kushner had previously played a central role in advising the president in the region, he did not take part in this trip.criticism of political opponents
While Trump's journey, he increasingly focused on his political opponents perceived as "inner enemies". The president made allusions to Democrats, the media and celebrities throughout his trip. In this context, he did not stick to the long -standing norms that should avoid a critical attitude towards local rivals during trips abroad, and attacked frequently and personally.
Strong in the crosshairs stood, among other things, his predecessor Joe Biden: "He did nothing about nothing. He had no ability, no possibilities," he explained to the members of the Golf Cooperation Council. Trump continued to become a livelihood when he insulted former Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg in Qatar for going to work by bike.
impressive reception ceremonies
Trump, a former reality TV star, is particularly aware of the productions in the Presidential Office, especially on international trips. His hosts did their best to receive him with magnificent ceremonies. In Saudi Arabia, a royal purple carpet was designed, there were trumpets and a 21-shot of honor. In Doha, a brisk red Tesla Cybertrucks led the president to the official event, where he was expected by a crowd of camels and Arab horses. In Abu Dhabi, Trump was welcomed with drums while children waved American and Emiratic flags.
The friendly gestures of his hosts resulted in important agreements and new cooperation opportunities with the USA. The flattering of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia contributed to the fact that Trump decided to meet the Syrian president. The warm contacts during his trip were in stark contrast to the antipathy, which he maintains some of his other international colleagues who are considered close allies in the United States.
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