Photo: Bandar Algaloud/Anadolu/AFP
Eurasia
12/05/2025 17:24
The White House described the trip as a “historic return” to a region Trump first visited as president eight years ago. That 2017 visit, remembered for a now-iconic image of Trump placing his hands on a glowing orb alongside Saudi and Egyptian leaders, signalled a break from tradition by prioritising ties with the oil-rich Gulf monarchies over traditional Western allies, Hürriyet reported.
Expectations are high that Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi will roll out a grand reception, blending ceremony with potential deals in defence, aviation, energy, and artificial intelligence.
According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, Trump aims to advance a vision of the Middle East where extremism gives way to commerce and cultural exchange. Yet, the trip comes at a moment of deep turmoil in the region. Alongside the Gaza conflict, Trump faces ongoing crises including Yemen’s Houthi insurgency and Syria’s continued instability.
In Riyadh, Trump will meet with leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Notably absent from the itinerary is Israel, traditionally Washington’s closest ally in the region. That omission has fuelled speculation about frictions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel has reportedly set Trump’s visit as a deadline for reaching a ceasefire with Hamas before initiating a military campaign aimed at taking control of Gaza and displacing its population. The Trump administration has taken a more restrained approach to the crisis, although officials say the U.S. is working with Israel on a plan to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Saudi-led efforts to normalise relations with Israel—a key U.S. goal during Trump’s first term—appear to have stalled, with Riyadh insisting that progress towards Palestinian statehood must precede any recognition.
Arab media reports suggest that a key summit will take place on 13 May in Riyadh between Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The meeting, reportedly initiated by the crown prince and accepted by Trump, could signal an attempt to open wider regional dialogue.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sought to downplay concerns about the state of U.S.–Israel ties. Speaking to Israeli media, Huckabee said Trump’s decision not to visit Israel “should not be seen as a sign of weakening relations.”
“This trip is focused on economic opportunities,” Huckabee said, urging calm. “Donald Trump loves you, there’s no doubt about that, he’s got your back.”
Huckabee added that Netanyahu “has spent more time with Trump in the past three months than I have,” and expressed confidence the president would visit Israel within the next year.
He also dismissed a Jerusalem Post report citing a Gulf source claiming Trump was preparing to recognise a Palestinian state.
