In a gesture that attracted the attention of political analysts and the international media, US President Donald Trump singled out Saudi Arabia for his first visit after his election as president of the United States of America. He visits an Arab and Muslim country on his first foreign visit! Because by his decision to visit Saudi Arabia first, he has violated the tradition and approach followed by his predecessors.
Political analysts said, "US President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia is a direct message, not to the Middle East region, but to the whole world about the importance of Saudi Arabia at the regional and international levels, and it has multiple political and security dimensions for the region and the world."
During his visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2017, US President Donald Trump held three summits with Saudi and Gulf allies and with Arab and Muslim leaders. These summits concluded with an emphasis on coordinating efforts to confront extremism and isolate Iran. King Salman and Trump signed a declaration of a joint Saudi-American strategic vision, which stipulated "drawing a renewed path towards a Middle East that enjoys peace and features of regional and global action in the 21st century." The Saudi-American summit witnessed the signing of military, defense and trade cooperation agreements with a total value of $460 billion.
American Gulf Summit
On May 21, 2017, an American-Gulf summit was held at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh, with the participation of US President Trump and leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. On the side of Trump, King Salman and the leaders of the GCC countries. The summit was held in a closed session that lasted an hour and a half, and dealt with joint policies and cooperation on regional issues, security challenges facing the region, especially the situation in Yemen and Syria, as well as Iranian policy in the region, as the two parties agreed that Iran's activities in the region cause instability. .
Arab Islamic American summit
On May 21, 2017, an Arab-Islamic-American summit was held in Riyadh with the participation and attendance of US President Donald Trump and leaders and representatives of more than 50 Arab and Islamic countries, to discuss partnership projects in the political, defense, and economic aspects, combating extremism, and working to promote the values of tolerance and moderation. King Salman said during the inauguration of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh that the countries participating in the summit are important partners in the fight against terrorism. He stressed that Trump's participation in the summit is evidence of Washington's interest in the region, and stressed the need for cooperation in eliminating terrorism in all its forms. He announced the launch of the Global Center for Combating Extremism, which aims to spread the principles of moderation and moderation, confront the deception of young people, immunize families and communities, and fight the false arguments of terrorists. He stressed that eliminating terrorism is not only through confrontation, but through sustainable development. King Salman believed that "some adherents of Islam distort the religion," and stressed that "Islam is a religion of peace, coexistence and tolerance," stressing at the same time the rejection and condemnation of dividing peoples on a religious or sectarian basis. He added that all of us, peoples and countries, reject in every language and condemn in every form the harm to the relations of Islamic countries with friendly countries, and the sorting of peoples and countries on a religious or sectarian basis, and these hateful acts are only the result of attempts to exploit Islam as a cover for political purposes that fuel hatred, extremism, terrorism and religious and sectarian conflicts, as the regime does. The Iranian regime and its affiliated groups and organizations, such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and others. He considered that "Iran is the head of global terrorism" since Khomeini's revolution, and stressed that the Iranian regime, Hezbollah, the Houthis, the Islamic State and al-Qaeda are all faces of the same coin. US President Donald Trump announced in his speech at the opening of the summit to the leaders of Arab and Islamic countries that he carries a message of "friendship, hope and love" to the Arab and Islamic worlds. He called for combating extremism.
Historic step
Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir considered US President Donald Trump's visit to the Kingdom a "historic" step leading to a "partnership" between the United States and Arab and Muslim countries.
Al-Jubeir said: Trump's decision to make his first foreign visit to the Kingdom confirms that Riyadh is the "key" for Washington to achieve its goals in the Middle East.
He said that Trump is bringing a new approach to the peace process in the Middle East, noting that his chances of success will be high.
The pivotal role of the kingdom
The Foreign Minister affirmed that US President Donald Trump's choice of the Kingdom as the start of his foreign tour reflects the pivotal role of the Kingdom in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Al-Jubeir said, "The visit reflects the respect of the United States of America for the wise leadership in the Kingdom, which always seeks to enhance security, stability and peace in the region and the world."
He added, "The Kingdom is the first partner of the United States in the Arab and Islamic world, and it is the first partner of the United States in confronting terrorism and extremism and eliminating ISIS and al-Qaeda."
The Kingdom is also at the forefront of countries that confront Iran's negative interference in the affairs of the region, and this is a very important issue for the United States. Therefore, the partnership with the Kingdom is very important.
The Foreign Minister affirmed that the Kingdom is a key country in combating terrorism and extremism, and it is the one that presented the Arab Peace Initiative, which is now considered a basic reference for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that President Trump seeks to end.
economic partner
Al-Jubeir indicated that the Kingdom is a strong economic partner of the United States, the largest exporter of oil and one of the largest investors in the world. He stressed that the Kingdom and the United States of America have historical and strategic relations, indicating that the American administration is aware of the importance of the Kingdom, especially in finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, eliminating ISIS, terrorism and extremism, confronting Iran, promoting investments and trade between the two countries, and creating job opportunities in the two countries. .
He said: “President Trump desires to restore America’s role in the world, and this is welcomed by America’s allies. He also expressed his desire to destroy the terrorist organization ISIS and terrorist groups, and this is something that America’s allies also desire. President Trump desires to repel Iran’s illegal activities in the region, and he is The same thing that America's allies in the region desire, so we are allies with the American administration on these issues.
Al-Jubeir added, "This is a historic visit by all standards. The Kingdom is the cradle of Islam and the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Terrorism and extremism cannot be defeated without the Kingdom." He added, "We are the closest partners in the war against terrorism and extremism, and the Kingdom is at the forefront of countries against Iran's illegal negative activities, and at the forefront of countries fighting the terrorist organization ISIS, and the Kingdom is the country that presented the Arab Peace Initiative, and the Kingdom has a major role in moving the peace process forward." And the Kingdom has huge investments in the American economy and a major trading partner with America, and this means that there are huge economic and financial interests between the two countries.
Al-Jubeir said: “Therefore, the ability to achieve the goals set by President Trump, whether in restoring America’s role, defeating ISIS, containing Iran, promoting peace, or promoting investments, trade and prosperity, the Kingdom is the key to these issues, as the Kingdom is one of America’s most important allies in the Arab and Islamic world.” And one of the most important international partners in terms of economy, trade and investment.
The role of the crown prince
On the other hand, the "Summit Studies" Center – based in Riyadh – accompanied the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom, with a special issue entitled "Riyadh… Washington's First Kiss", in which it dealt with the repercussions of the visit and the three summits that are held on its sidelines on the course of events in the region, and the future of the world.
The publication began its pages with a report entitled "Washington's Return Through the Riyadh Gate", in which the pivotal role of the Kingdom in dealing with many international files was addressed, and the role of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in removing many problems in the file of Saudi-American relations, and his ability to present a destination The Saudi view, and the repercussions of the previous administration's policies on the course of events in the region.
Researcher Omar Al-Majnouni, titled “Priorities of Power and Politics”, reviewed the changes that occurred in the policy of the new US administration led by Trump, which he described as more pragmatic than its predecessor.
As for the writer, Saleh Al-Khalif, he wrote under the title “Trump… A Little Evidence.” He emphasized that the American president concluded that the Saudis are the most capable of adjusting balances and dealing with problems with great vision and awareness.
Journalist Mahmoud Shaaban wrote under the title “The Mission of Resolving Thorny Files,” and touched on many of the region’s files, and said that Trump will be more aware of it through his presence in it, and his frank conversation with the Saudis, who have been known to be honest with their allies and enemies alike.
Writer Abdullah Al-Dhubiani touched on the presence of political geography in the visit, indicating that in a historical moment we discover the importance of geography on the course of events.
Researcher Mai Al-Sharif touched on the return of the Republicans to the White House, and reviewed their history in the region and their relationship with the Saudis in particular.
Researcher Ghazi Al-Harthy noted Trump's modern policy, describing it as a "policy of words and deeds," citing the hair strike, and noting the reasons for choosing Riyadh for the president's first visit.
Saeed Al Mansour (Jeddah)
