Former President Donald Trump has made a series of significant diplomatic moves this week that could have far-reaching implications for U.S. relations with Israel and the broader Middle East. During this time, Trump conspicuously did not visit Israel. This particularly maddening decision is doubly confounding given his long standing, pro-reef, pro-nation record. He made Saudi Arabia a key ally in war and peace. Simultaneously, he took a generally softer position on Syria, all hinting at a broader retreat of U.S. foreign policy priorities.
During a recent visit to Saudi Arabia by Trump, the real estate mogul-cum-President extolled the virtues of the kingdom’s critical importance. He announced that for the United States, there is “no stronger partner” than Saudi Arabia. Unlike previous administrations, he emphasized a relationship free from preconditions, allowing the kingdom to operate without the usual U.S. pressure. This new approach shatters established statesman practices. It claims, most explosively, that Riyadh has been unleashed to pursue its own agenda in the region.
Yet at this event, Trump touted the conclusion of a $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. This announcement deepened the military partnership between the two countries. Such a massive arms deal underscores Trump’s commitment to bolstering Saudi defense capabilities and reflects his administration’s prioritization of Saudi interests over those of Israel.
In a stunning turn, Trump welcomed Syria back into the diplomatic fold, removing U.S. sanctions on the country. He called then-Syria leader’s successor, Bashar al-Assad, “attractive” and “a fighter.” Most analysts widely consider this a move toward normalizing relations with a nation that has for decades been considered an enemy of both the U.S. and Israel. Trump’s decision to lift a $10 million bounty on Assad’s ally, Ahmed al-Sharaa, further illustrates his willingness to reset relations with Syria.
… allowed for the construction of a much friendlier Trump- Erdoğan relationship. This was increasing geopolitical pressure on Israel just as they had gotten a major strategic win themselves. The former president’s overtures to Turkey indicate a shift in alliances that could diminish Israel’s position as the primary U.S. ally in the region.
Most importantly, Trump’s personal envoy, Steve Witkoff, conceded that Israel cannot be trusted to stop the soulless slaughter in Gaza. This is a rather scary statement. It shows a failure in communication between Israel and the United States regarding the ongoing humanitarian disaster taking place in Gaza. While Trump might want to bring American hostages home, he has been stymied by Israel’s unwillingness to play along.
In a notable break from his usual bombast, Trump even referred to the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling the people trapped there “starving”. He promised to address the crisis at its roots. That might require Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider his strategy for the ongoing war.
The culmination of these actions suggests that Trump could potentially force Netanyahu into a difficult position: accepting a bargain for the release of all remaining hostages while simultaneously ending hostilities in Gaza. Such a scenario would still represent a radical change in Israeli policy and have the potential to reshape the U.S.-Israel relationship that has endured for decades.
Second, that Trump is successfully re-engineering our foreign relations in the Middle East. As he does so, worries are mounting over how this will affect Israel’s security and its position as America’s principal ally in the region. The former president’s recent statements are a departure from his unwavering support for Israel. They show an increasing interconnectedness with other countries that may influence future trends.