On May 14, 2023, in a surprising diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during his visit to Saudi Arabia. This meeting comes on the heels of Trump's declaration that the United States will lift all sanctions on the Islamist-led Syrian government, despite ongoing concerns regarding its leadership's historical connections to Al Qaeda.
During a speech in Riyadh on Tuesday, Trump confirmed his decision to lift sanctions on Syria, a move that has raised eyebrows within various sectors of his administration. The meeting with al-Sharaa is slated to occur before the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, highlighting the significance of this diplomatic engagement. Reportedly, Trump will address al-Sharaa as part of his engagement with key leaders in the region.
President Trump’s interactions with Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda commander who played a crucial role in the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, are expected to be closely scrutinized. Observers are keen to assess how serious the U.S. government is about redefining its relationship with Damascus. Notably, al-Sharaa renounced his ties to Al Qaeda in 2016, which may influence the dynamics of the upcoming discussions.
The first day of Trump's four-day visit to the Gulf region was marked by lavish ceremonies and substantial business agreements. One of the most notable commitments was a staggering $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia into the U.S. economy, coupled with a $142 billion arms deal with the kingdom. This demonstrates a strong U.S.-Saudi alliance while also setting the stage for further economic cooperation.
Following his engagements in Riyadh, Trump is scheduled to fly to Doha, the capital of Qatar, where he will meet with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and other officials. Qatar, a vital U.S. ally in the region, is anticipated to unveil plans for substantial investments in the United States, potentially amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars. Reports suggest that Qatar Airways may announce a deal to purchase around 100 wide-body jets from Boeing during this visit.
Part of the discussions in Doha will revolve around the recent announcement that Qatar plans to donate a Boeing 747-8 to the U.S. government, which is to be transformed into Air Force One. This luxurious aircraft is expected to be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the U.S. and is intended for Trump’s future presidential library. However, this generous offering has sparked controversy among Democrats and raised bipartisan security concerns about possible perceptions of corruption.
After his visit to Qatar, President Trump will continue his tour by meeting with leaders in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. While he is scheduled to return to Washington on Friday, Trump has indicated the possibility of diverting to Turkey for a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape in which these discussions are taking place.
This series of meetings underscores Trump's ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances in the region while navigating the intricate dynamics of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
