President Donald Trump embarks on a pivotal journey to the Middle East from May 13-16, marking the commencement of his second term’s significant foreign engagements.
President Donald Trump plans to accept a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s royal family as a potential replacement for Air Force One.
- Trump’s itinerary includes three key countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
- The administration seeks substantial investments from Middle Eastern counterparts.
- His departure coincided with the release of Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli hostage held by Hamas for 19 months.
LONDON – This visit won’t be Trump’s first dazzling ceremonial sword dance.
President Donald Trump is en route to Saudi Arabia for an extensive series of summits with affluent Persian Gulf leaders. His inaugural trip to the region was back in 2017, during which he engaged with Saudi rulers and highlighted a vision of “partnership based on shared interests and values.” The ceremonial flair included a captivating display of the “ardah,” a cultural performance blending dance, poetry, and traditional swordplay.
This time, from May 13 to 16, Trump intertwines business and diplomacy with a nuanced agenda. Following Riyadh, his journey will extend to Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Doha in Qatar.
“What Trump really desires from this trip is palpable success,” remarked Frank Lowenstein, a former Middle East envoy in the Obama administration.
“He aims to unveil significant announcements that potentially benefit the American populace, while also aligning with his core narrative—’I end foreign wars and I secure hostage returns,’” stated Lowenstein.
The Nexus of Deals and Diplomacy
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump embarks on this journey “to foster commerce and cultural exchanges,” echoing sentiments from his prior term.
With Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar ranked among the world’s wealthiest nations—renowned for their investments in military and security sectors—these countries are not just regional players but global economic powerhouses. Saudi Arabia has already committed to investing $600 billion in American enterprises, with Trump’s vision pushing for a staggering $1 trillion investment commitment.
These nations also serve as crucial intermediaries in conflicts extending from Gaza to Ukraine, making their partnership even more critical.
Coinciding with Trump’s departure, Hamas also freed U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American captive in Gaza. Hamas has indicated that this release forms part of larger efforts towards achieving a ceasefire following the extensive conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Israel has been quiet regarding further ceasefire commitments.
Expanding the Abraham Accords?
During his first term, Trump successfully brokered the Abraham Accords, a series of significant agreements enabling Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, to establish formal relations with Israel. These agreements aimed to offer economic benefits in exchange for peace but surprisingly overlooked the Palestinian perspective, a factor that stalled formal Saudi acceptance.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has firmly insisted on halting Israeli military actions in Gaza before any potential normalization can occur.
Nonetheless, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently conveyed optimism about extending the Abraham Accords during a speech at the Israeli embassy in Washington: “We expect to make some announcements that may yield substantial progress by next year,” Witkoff stated in a recent video.
Business or Geopolitics?
However, some analysts warn that Trump’s visit risks blurring the lines between business and diplomacy.
“It’s challenging to discern the primary mission here,” noted Khaled Elgindy from Georgetown University. “With Trump, the personal and geopolitical realms often intertwine. His business dealings appear to serve both American interests and his own financial ambitions.”
Indeed, Trump’s itinerary includes stops with significant personal business stakes. His sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., currently steering The Trump Organization, have made recent forays into the UAE and Qatar to oversee family real estate and cryptocurrency investments.
In late April, Dar Global, a leading Saudi real estate developer, announced a collaboration with The Trump Organization for a luxury hotel project in Dubai. Additionally, they’re jointly developing a high-end residential tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Trump Organization has also secured a deal for an 18-hole golf course and resort in Qatar, featuring luxury Trump-branded beachside villas. This venture is in partnership with Qatari Diar, a firm backed by the Qatari government. Additionally, a recent $2 billion investment from an Abu Dhabi government-backed firm could significantly uplift the Trump family’s cryptocurrency initiative, World Liberty Financial, according to co-founder Zach Witkoff.
As his visit approaches, Trump has defended the notion of possibly accepting a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jet as a gift from Qatar’s royal elite for government use as Air Force One.
Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, asserted that Trump’s focus on nations with vested business interests is no coincidence.
“These are precisely the countries you would deliberate visiting irrespective of business ties,” Parsi emphasized, noting Trump’s recent golf course project in Oman, which isn’t part of this tour but plays a role in regional dynamics.
The Trump Organization has yet to respond to requests for comments on these multifaceted dealings.
“It’s undeniably absurd for anyone here to suggest Trump acts solely out of self-interest. He transitioned from a life of affluence and stewardship of a prosperous real estate empire to serve the public good,” asserted Leavitt.
Investment banker Greg Swenson, chair of the U.K. chapter of Republicans Overseas, advised against merging private business pursuits with international diplomacy.
“The Saudis and Emiratis are allies fostering mutual interests. However, one must tread carefully to avoid any semblance of influence-peddling,” he stressed, alluding to historical connections such as those involving former President Joe Biden‘s son Hunter’s overseas ventures.
Voices from the Shadows: A Detained American
Behind the shine of Trump’s diplomatic journey, personal stories unfold. One such case is that of Saad Ibrahim Almadi, a 75-year-old dual U.S.-Saudi citizen, who hopes for attention during this high-stakes visit.
Almadi was apprehended in Riyadh in November 2023 upon visiting family. He was convicted of attempts to “destabilize” Saudi Arabia due to social media posts that questioned poverty and urban development in Saudi cities.
A social media post of Almadi’s referenced the tragic murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an act that involved elements of the Saudi government, illustrating the country’s sensitive political climate.
Amid concerns for his father’s future, Almadi’s son, Ibrahim, who resides in Florida, has appealed to Trump through Speaker Mike Johnson for intervention.
“Every knock on the door raises fears of a return to imprisonment,” said Ibrahim regarding his father’s precarious situation.
