During his tour of the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced a significant shift from traditional US interventionist policies, emphasizing a new foreign policy approach that he seems to prefer.
While visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, Trump announced that he would no longer impose “lectures on how to live,” stating that the region has achieved “modern miracles in Arabic ways.”
Breaking sharply from the policies of his predecessor, he criticized the “neocon” approach that led to extensive US military interventions globally.
“In the end, the so-called nation builders destroyed much more countries than they built,” Trump remarked at the Investment Forum in Riyadh, his first stop in the Gulf.
He noted that too many US presidents seem to think it’s their responsibility to scrutinize foreign leaders and apply American values to deliver justice for their actions.
Although he didn’t specify names, it was clear he was referencing his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, who linked US support to human rights, as well as former President George W. Bush, who initiated wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“The resultant shift”
Cena Tossi from the International Policy Center remarked that Trump’s speech in Riyadh indicated a profound change in US policy towards the Middle East.
By moving away from military intervention and state-building, Trump has shown a preference for realism and restraint, a change that resonates in regions troubled by conflicts fueled by foreign involvement.
However, this approach also means dealing with leaders of oil-rich monarchies who often disregard democratic principles and human rights.
For instance, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was linked to the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, based on US intelligence reports in 2018, yet this issue was not addressed during Trump’s visit.
Instead, he continued to promote his signature gold-plated trade strategies.
During his trip, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE showcased wealth and entered into significant business and investment agreements with the US, praising Trump’s first major foreign trip as a reflection of regional aspirations.
On the other hand, this visit also disrupted the longstanding support for Israel, a cornerstone of American policy in the region.
Not only did Trump overlook Israel during his trip, but it also seemed to put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines regarding key matters including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Israeli operations in Gaza, and the Huthi rebels in Yemen.
This raised underlying tensions, particularly impacting Israel’s response toward military strategies in light of Trump’s policies.
“The Power of America”
Trump’s method of handling foreign relations might soon be tested.
He indicated openness to negotiate with Iran concerning its nuclear program, stating he has never viewed any nation as a permanent adversary.
At the same time, he warned of potential military action against Iran if negotiations falter.
Moreover, although he pledged to resolve the conflict in Gaza, he only infrequently referred to the dire humanitarian situation faced by the besieged populace.
As a further note, Trump attempted to engage with Russia’s Vladimir Putin during his Istanbul visit, seeking discussions about ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; however, no concrete actions were taken on this front.
His doctrine of “peace through power” appears to be somewhat contradictory. At a major US Air Force Base in Qatar, he stated, “My priority is to end the conflict, not start them,” but quickly added a contrasting caveat.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published by Syndicate Feed.)
