Trump is MAGA-fying the Middle East, with or without Netanyahu's support
In a repeat of his first presidency, Donald Trump has chosen to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for his inaugural overseas visit, and significantly, bypass Israel on his four-day trip.
In part, this is because he is keen to maximise the US's ability to benefit from hydro-carbon resource wealth and lucrative markets of the region, and not let their regional strategic partner, Israel, stand in the way. Another reason for the visit is almost certainly to thank Qatar for their most recent gift to the United States government – a $US400 million ($622 million) luxury jet Trump plans to keep when he leaves office.
But this visit is not like that of a usual dignitary or foreign power passing through. As a transactional leader, Trump is set to transform the Middle East according to his Make America Great Again dictum.
Although still committed to the security of the state of Israel, Trump has found its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, too trigger-happy in getting the US involved in Israel's regional conflicts. Thus, his relationship with the prime minister has taken a back-seat to America's wider regional interests.
During a speech in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, Trump outlined his vision for remaking the region, saying, 'As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be very profound.'
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Trump wants to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has engaged in social modernisation in proximity to Trump's liking.
Though MBS, as bin Salman is known, was shaken by Joe Biden's regional plan (an 'Israel-first' policy and withdrawal from Afghanistan), the crown prince engaged in diversifying Saudi foreign relations by joining the BRICS forum for emerging economies, strengthening ties with China and improving relations with Iran.
While impressed by bin Salman making trillion-dollar trade, investment and defence deals, Trump has de-emphasised the importance of a healthy relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel (something he previously advocated for). So much so that Trump has expressed a willingness to help Saudi Arabia establish a nuclear program.
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