नवीनतम
Trump begins his ME tour with Saudi Arabia
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: US President Donald Trump launched his four-day Middle East tour on Tuesday by meeting with Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement focused on countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions, addressing the ongoing war in Gaza, stabilizing global oil prices, and deepening U.S.-Saudi cooperation.
Trump was welcomed by Bin Salman as he stepped off Air Force One in Riyadh, with the two leaders engaging in a traditional coffee ceremony at the airport. Later in the day, Trump was scheduled to attend a formal dinner hosted by the crown prince, followed by participation in a U.S.-Saudi investment conference.
On Wednesday, Trump will join a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, before departing the Saudi capital.
Oil, Inflation, and US interests
As oil prices remain a critical issue, Trump has emphasized the importance of affordable energy in combating inflation and reducing the financial strain on American consumers. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ nations have already ramped up oil production, helping Trump’s case domestically. Yet, the economic realities are complicated — Saudi Arabia reportedly needs oil prices near $96–98 per barrel to maintain fiscal balance. Brent crude, however, was trading at just $64.77 as of Monday.
“Lower oil prices don’t derail Gulf states’ diversification plans, but they do make them harder,” noted Jon Alterman, a Middle East expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Business ties and personal interests
Trump’s itinerary — which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — also intersects with business interests. The Trump Organization, managed by his two eldest sons, has ongoing real estate ventures in each of these countries, including a luxury hotel in Dubai, a tower in Jeddah, and a villa-and-golf development in Qatar.
The former president aims to showcase the success of his transactional diplomacy. He is expected to announce new deals involving artificial intelligence, energy collaboration, and potentially arms sales. Just recently, his administration gave the green light for the sale of $3.5 billion worth of air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia.
Tensions with Israel and regional dynamics
Despite Trump’s push for normalization between Israel and Arab states, tensions have surfaced. His administration’s decision to halt U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels — a group supported by Iran — without informing Israel has deepened unease. Israel, which continues to be targeted by the Houthis, learned of the move only after Trump’s announcement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed frustration over being left out of key negotiations, including recent backchannel discussions with Hamas and Iran. “Israel will defend itself by itself,” Netanyahu said in response to Trump’s surprise truce announcement.
Observers have noted Trump’s decision to skip Israel on this trip is telling. “It sends a message that the Gulf states are currently closer allies to Trump than Israel is,” said William Wechsler of the Atlantic Council.
Normalization talks and Palestinian statehood
Trump is attempting to revive his earlier Abraham Accords initiative, which saw several Arab nations normalize relations with Israel. However, Saudi Arabia has set conditions: concrete U.S. security guarantees, help with its nuclear energy ambitions, and tangible progress on establishing a Palestinian state.
With the Gaza conflict escalating, hopes for movement on the Palestinian issue are slim. Nonetheless, Bin Salman recently hosted Palestinian Vice President Hussein Sheikh, signaling that the kingdom still places value on the Palestinian cause.
“This was the crown prince’s way of subtly stating that normalization won’t move forward without addressing Palestinian statehood,” said Hussain Abdul-Hussain of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Name controversy over the Persian Gulf
Trump also hinted at a controversial move — possibly changing the official U.S. designation of the Persian Gulf to the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi warned that such a shift would provoke outrage among Iranians globally, calling it a deeply provocative act.
As Trump navigates this complex diplomatic terrain, the trip will serve as both a geopolitical test and a litmus for his evolving Middle East strategy.
