Scenes of Sports Diplomacy in Trump's Gulf Tour
The visit of the President of the United States to the Gulf region in mid-May was not traditional; Trump is an exceptional figure, and the version of his second term differs greatly from the first, as he does not care much for diplomatic norms and their boundaries. How could he commit to them if even geographic boundaries do not constrain his economic and investment visions? Talking about annexing Canada to the United States reveals much about his political and economic propositions inside and outside the United States.
And if Trump's statements often involve intimidating rhetoric and rough diplomacy, can he be imagined to believe in the importance of soft power in enhancing the state's image and its foreign relations? Does he realize that public diplomacy might contribute to improving political communication between leaders? And can his administration succeed in using the hosting of international sports events, such as the Club World Cup next June and the joint hosting of the 2026 World Cup, to improve relations with neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico?
Despite all these questions, the evidence points to an exceptional diplomatic pattern that may evolve into a new school in international relations attributed to
Trump
, who is eager to achieve accomplishments credited to him. This is in addition to what the first five months of his second term have shown, whether in superiority diplomacy (as seen in his conversation with the President of South Africa at the White House), acquisition diplomacy (such as the mineral deal with Ukraine), and other features that characterize his handling of foreign policy files, although he has some ideas about developing sports and sports investment, and he has good relations with athletes.
And due to Trump's lack of conviction in the value of traditional tools for implementing his foreign policies and his preference to rely on advisors and influential economic figures — who accompanied him on his first foreign tour, along with the presence of the FIFA president in two stops of the tour — it is important to pause at some scenes of sports diplomacy during his visit to Gulf countries, as football and sports investment are among the most prominent images of public diplomacy. Especially considering that, despite the presence of the FIFA president among the delegation of investors and CEOs accompanying Trump, and Infantino's pride in participating in a tour full of historic agreements, he faced sharp criticism from members of the FIFA Congress — especially the Europeans — for being late to the Congress meeting in Paraguay, considering his visits to Riyadh and Doha as coming at the expense of official obligations and favoring his personal ambitions. Thus, even sports are not free from political calculations at the level of federations.
Scene One: During his participation in the Saudi-American Investment Forum, in the session titled 'The Road to 2034… Partnerships and Progress Towards the World Cup in Saudi Arabia', Infantino affirmed in his speech that Saudi Arabia is one of the world's leading investors in football and that its hosting of the World Cup is a pivotal moment in the history of the world's most popular game. He added that football represents a massive economy, with its related global GDP estimated at about $270 billion annually.
Scene Two: The Emir of Qatar presented Trump with the official ball of the 2022 World Cup, enhancing the role of sports diplomacy in strengthening ties between peoples and countries and showing the position of football in the political and diplomatic arena. Qatar has a successful model in sponsoring European competitions, and Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League title supports that investment which began years ago.
Scene Three: The conversation that took place in Abu Dhabi between Trump and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of City Group, which addressed the preparations for the opening of the New York City stadium before the 2028 Olympics. Trump showed clear interest in the conversation, which highlights how sports diplomacy contributes to supporting countries' infrastructure, noting that City Group, backed by the Mubadala investment fund, has interests in European and Latin American countries.
These scenes reflect the development of the relationship between sport and investment. It is no longer limited to club acquisitions, but now includes integrated systems involving teams, stadiums, and brand names. The Russian model in Chelsea, followed by the entry of Chinese investors and the Arab investment that began with Mohamed Al-Fayed entering the field of investing in English clubs — all these moves developed rapidly. Sports investment has become more complex and interconnected both locally and internationally.
In conclusion, Trump's visit to Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi draws new features of the intersection between sports, economy, and politics, and affirms the importance of sports diplomacy, which is gaining increasing interest from world leaders as an effective tool to present soft power and strengthen ties between countries beyond the traditional constraints of politics. Gulf countries are among the most prominent models in employing sports to enhance their foreign interests.
read more
Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why?
Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria?
Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits?
Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election?
Analysis: What Are Turkey's Aspirations in Iraq?
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis: Mercenaries In Libya... Who Should Be Blamed?
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis- How 'Libya Nightmare' Takes Erdogan to Algiers
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis: What Happens After Brexit?
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra!
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Arts & Culture
Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
News
Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Videos & Features
Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Zelensky to Visit Washington Next Monday
Nada Mustafa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that his phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, following the Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, lasted more than an hour and a half. Zelensky added that he will visit Washington on Monday to meet with Trump, stressing that Ukraine is 'ready for constructive cooperation.' He emphasized that Europe must be part of the talks at every stage, expressing his support for holding a trilateral meeting. Zelensky also noted that his call with Trump and European leaders discussed 'positive signals' from Washington regarding security guarantees. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid Videos & Features Story behind Trending Jessica Radcliffe Death Video News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News The Jessica Radcliffe Orca Attack? 100% Fake and AI-Generated
Daily News Egypt
6 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a direct peace agreement is the best way to end the war in Ukraine, rather than just a ceasefire, a potential change in his initial position following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv needs a 'real peace, not a temporary pause in Russian attacks' and announced he would travel to Washington on Monday for talks with his US counterpart. Following his meeting with Putin, Trump described the talks as 'very successful.' In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said a subsequent phone call with Zelenskyy and several European leaders, including NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, 'went very well.' 'Everyone agrees that the best way to end the war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement that ends the war, instead of just a ceasefire agreement that sometimes may not last long,' Trump wrote. 'If the meeting with Zelenskyy on Monday goes well, we will set a date to meet with Putin. This could potentially save the lives of millions of people,' he added. The statement appears to mark a shift in Trump's stance. As he was travelling to Alaska, he told reporters he 'would not be satisfied if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire,' Britain's Sky News noted. A senior Ukrainian lawmaker said Trump was 'adopting Putin's position by suggesting abandoning a ceasefire in favour of a quick peace deal.' 'Unfortunately, Trump has taken Putin's position. This was Putin's demand,' Oleksandr Merezhko, head of the foreign affairs committee in Ukraine's parliament, told Reuters. Zelenskyy seeks 'real peace' After speaking with Trump, Zelenskyy said he held a call with European leaders and stressed that his country needed a genuine and lasting peace. He said he told Trump of the need to increase pressure on Russia and ensure reliable, long-term security, insisting that Europe and America must provide security guarantees. He reiterated that issues related to territory could only be resolved with Ukraine's involvement. Zelenskyy confirmed he would visit Washington on Monday to discuss 'the details of ending the war with Russia.' He said his phone call with Trump 'lasted more than an hour and a half,' beginning as a one-on-one discussion before European leaders were invited to join. The Ukrainian president expressed support for a trilateral summit involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia. 'Substantive issues can be discussed at the leadership level, and the trilateral format is suitable for that,' he said. Talks with European leaders During his call with European leaders, Trump said Putin 'prefers a comprehensive agreement to end the war with Ukraine' and does not want a temporary ceasefire, a source on the call told Axios. 'I think a quick peace deal is better than a ceasefire,' Trump reportedly told the leaders. In addition to Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and leaders from Germany, Finland, Poland, Italy, and Britain also participated in the call. Zelenskyy said the call included a discussion of 'positive signals' from Washington regarding security guarantees. Alaska summit outcome The summit in Alaska on Friday between Trump and Putin, which lasted over two and a half hours, was described by both sides as 'fruitful,' though their public statements did not confirm any full agreement on Ukraine. After the meeting, Trump said in an interview with Fox News that it was 'really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done.' He added, 'The European countries have to step up a little bit, but it's up to President Zelenskyy… and if they'd like, I'll be at the next meeting.' A Kremlin official, quoted by Russia's TASS news agency, said the topic of a trilateral summit 'has not yet been discussed' and that there was 'no information yet on a date' for another meeting between Putin and Trump.
Egypt Independent
6 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Trump has vowed to free Jimmy Lai. A Hong Kong court is about to decide the media mogul's fate
Hong Kong — Days before winning his second presidential term, Donald Trump made a bold promise: if he returned to the White House, he would free a pugnacious, self-made billionaire from a Hong Kong prison. '100 percent I'll get him out. He'll be easy to get out,' Trump declared in a podcast interview in October, radiating his trademark confidence. Nearly ten months later, that tycoon Jimmy Lai – a pro-democracy firebrand and persistent thorn in Beijing's side – remains behind bars. The 77-year-old media mogul has spent more than 1,600 days in a maximum-security prison, much of it in solitary confinement, staring down the possibility of spending the rest of his life there. Lai, the outspoken founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily – a fiercely pro-democracy tabloid newspaper known for years of blistering broadsides against the Chinese Communist party until its forced closure – has become a symbol of Beijing's sweeping national security crackdown on the once-freewheeling financial hub. In his landmark trial, Lai stands accused of two counts of colluding with foreign forces – a crime punishable by life in prison under the 2020 national security law imposed by Beijing – and a separate sedition charge. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. On Friday, a Hong Kong court is set to hear closing arguments from both defense and prosecutors after a day's delay due to a major rainstorm. The hearing – which is expected to last multiple days – paves the way for a verdict that will decide Lai's fate – and test Trump's resolve to make good on his pledge while trying to clinch a trade deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Asked about Lai in a Fox News radio interview on Thursday, Trump appeared less certain about the result, but vowed to do everything he can. 'I didn't say 100% I'll save him. I said 100% I'm going to be bringing it up, and I've already brought it up, and I'm going to do everything I can to save him.' 'You can also understand, President Xi would not be exactly thrilled by doing it,' Trump said. 'With all of that being said, his name (has) already entered the circle of things that we're talking about, and we'll see what we can do.' In Hong Kong, dozens of people lined up outside the courthouse on Friday ahead of the hearing amid a heavy police presence. 'I am here to support 'Fei Lo' Lai and let him know that he's not alone,' said Pun Tak-bun, 81, calling Lai by his colloquial nickname meaning 'fat man.' 'Apple Daily spoke to Hongkongers from the heart.' Pun, carrying a yellow umbrella – the symbolic color of the city's once robust pro-democracy movement – was one of the supporters stopped by police in the past two days for an identity check, as officers ratcheted up security around the court complex. KC Chan, 66, said he showed up because he doesn't have high hopes that US President Trump will be able to get Lai out. 'If I don't come here this time, I am worried I won't be able to see him again,' he said. In October, Trump responded '100% yes' when asked by podcast host Hugh Hewitt whether he would speak to Xi to get Lai out prison if he won the election. Then, as president, Trump pledged to raise Lai's case as part of US trade talks with China. 'I think talking about Jimmy Lai is a very good idea,' he told Hewitt in a subsequent radio interview in May, just days before officials met in Geneva for the first round of talks. 'We'll put it down, and we'll put it down as part of the negotiation.' Two people who are close to Lai and have been campaigning for his release said they were told that US officials did bring up Lai's case with their Chinese counterparts during the talks. 'We understand it was informally brought up at trade talks, but we don't know the context of it,' said Lai's top aide Mark Simon, referring to the negotiations in Geneva. Mark Clifford, president of the Washington-based Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said that before trade negotiators met again in London in June, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent 'had it as a mission' from Trump to ensure that Lai's release was part of the talks. 'I'm told that Bessent was tasked by the President and made it as part of his mission,' said Clifford, who has been lobbying the US Congress for Lai's release. 'Going into those talks, like immediately before those talks, Bessent told people that he was tasked by Trump with getting Jimmy out.' The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to CNN: 'As President Trump said, Jimmy Lai should be released, and he wants to see that happen.' China's Foreign Affairs Ministry and Commerce Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said he was not aware of the 'specific details' when asked about whether Lai's case was brought up in the trade talks. 'We strongly oppose external forces using judicial cases as a pretext to interfere in China's internal affairs or to smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law,' Liu added. The Hong Kong government has also stood firm, urging 'any external forces' – without mentioning the US or Trump – to immediately stop interfering in the city's internal affairs and judicial process. 'Any attempt by any country, organization, or individual to interfere with the judicial proceedings in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by means of political power, thereby resulting in a defendant not being able to have a fair trial that one should receive, is a reprehensible act undermining the rule of law of Hong Kong and should be condemned,' the city's Security Bureau said in a statement. Lai's Friday court hearing comes just days after Trump extended a trade truce with China, giving both sides another 90 days to try to settle their trade and tech disputes. In recent weeks, Trump has eased his confrontational stance toward Beijing, and has spoken enthusiastically about visiting China at Xi's invitation in the 'not too distant future' if a deal is reached. As part of that push, he has rolled back certain export controls on China – including reversing a ban on sales of Nvidia's H20 chips. This week, he opened the door to sending China more advanced AI chips. Experts on US-China relations say it remains unclear whether Trump can deliver on his pledge to free Lai, a China-born British national, citing his transactional style and unpredictable policy shifts. 'Jimmy Lai is British, not American. Given the high profile of his case, I doubt that China will be willing to make a deal,' said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington. 'But the trade talks are higher priority for Beijing. If Trump prioritizes Jimmy Lai's release, Beijing will be able to negotiate although it all depends on the terms.' Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a senior researcher at the Asia Centre think tank in Paris, said the uncertainty cuts both ways. 'How much pressure Trump will put on Xi to reach such a deal? Hard to say because the US administration has so many other priorities ahead of Jimmy Lai,' he said. 'But the big question is whether Xi will accept such a quid pro quo?' But Lai's family and supporters remain hopeful. 'We're incredibly grateful that the president knows about my father's case and has said that he will free him,' said Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai's son. 'The president has a tremendous track record in freeing prisoners around the world. So hearing this gives our family a lot of hope.' Lai's fortunes, both personal and financial, are inextricably tied to the transformation of Hong Kong. Born in mainland China, he arrived in the British-ruled city in the bottom of a fishing boat at age 12 and dirt poor. He worked his way up the factory floor of a textile company to become a clothing tycoon – a rags-to-riches story that echoed Hong Kong's own rise as a bustling commercial hub. But China's deadly 1989 crackdown on student protesters in Tiananmen Square politicized Lai and created something of a rarity in Hong Kong: a wealthy tycoon willing to openly criticize Beijing's leaders. He moved out of the clothing business and chose a new role – media baron. Lai founded Apple Daily in 1995, two years before Hong Kong was handed over to China. The outspoken publisher and his newspaper were at the forefront of the city's pro-democracy movement. A known vocal supporter of Trump and a devout Catholic, Lai traveled to Washington at the height of the 2019 protests, where he met with then Vice President Mike Pence and other US politicians to discuss the political situation in the city. The media mogul had long held a conviction that Trump and the US government should not shy away from supporting Hong Kong's civil liberties, which are key for the city's status as a conduit between China and international markets. 'Mr. President, you're the only one who can save us,' Lai said in an interview with CNN in 2020 weeks before he was arrested. 'If you save us, you can stop China's aggressions. You can also save the world.' Prosecutors have argued that Lai's actions amounted to lobbying for sanctions against Beijing and Hong Kong, an act prohibited under the national security law that was imposed following 2019's huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests and has transformed the city. Lai's lawyers have countered that Lai had stopped those acts after the national security law came into effect on June 30, 2020. Taking the stand in his own defense in November, Lai said he had never spoken with Trump. 'I don't think he knew me. I think his aides knew me and briefed him about me,' he said. In March, a bipartisan group of US House representatives introduced a bill to rename the street in front of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington as '1 Jimmy Lai Way.' That same month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio – a former top China hawk in the Senate – said in an interview that getting Lai out of jail was a 'priority.' 'We've raised it in every possible form and they know that it's important to us,' Rubio said, referring to Chinese officials. 'It remains a priority, and I think other countries around the world are making the same point as well to the Chinese.' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer brought up the case of Lai in his first meeting with Xi, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil in November 2024. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has also urged Lai's release, calling his imprisonment 'cruel and unusual punishment' and describing the case as 'a priority for the UK government' — remarks that drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing. So far all of Hong Kong's national security trials have been heard by a panel of specially selected judges, not juries – a departure from the city's common law tradition. It could be weeks, or even months, before the judges render their verdict in Lai's case. People campaigning for his release argue that given his old age and frail health, it'll be more trouble for Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to keep him in prison. 'If he dies in prison, he's going to be trouble forever. He'll be a martyr. He'll be a symbol of resistance. He'll be a symbol of the cruelty of the Chinese Communist regime. And why would (Beijing) want that?' said Clifford, who wrote a biography of Lai titled 'The Troublemaker.' Simon, the top aide, said Lai has to be convicted first, before things can start moving forward to get him out of prison. While Washington has used diplomacy to secure the release of political prisoners in mainland China in the past, such interventions would be rare — if not unprecedented — in Hong Kong, which has its own separate legal system, experts say. Paul Harris, former chairman of Hong Kong's Bar Association, said the fact that Lai is in Hong Kong does not create an obstacle to his release. Under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the chief executive has the power – and the duty – in appropriate cases to pardon convicted prisoners or commute their sentences, he explained. 'So that power is there, and it's a matter for the Chief Executive's decision whether he wants to use it, and one can safely assume that if the President of China wants him to use it, he will use it,' Harris said, referencing Xi. 'Jimmy Lai is in the second half of his 70s. He has certain health problems. It is totally consistent with the rule of law, as it has always operated, to release elderly prisoners with health problems. And so if the will is there, it can be done.' But for supporters of Lai, the campaign to free him is a race against time. Sebastien Lai said he's deeply concerned about his father's deteriorating health. 'He's 77 this year, turning 78 at the end of the year, any type of incarceration is incredibly worrying for his health, never mind the solitary confinement and the diabetes,' he said, calling his father's prolonged solitary confinement 'a form of torture.' 'And during the summer, Hong Kong goes up to 30, almost 40 degrees (Celsius), and he's in a little concrete cell, so he bakes in there. We're incredibly worried about him.' The Hong Kong government said it strongly condemns what it calls 'misleading statements' about the treatment of Jimmy Lai in custody. 'The remarks by Sebastien Lai regarding Lai Chee-ying's solitary confinement are completely fact-twisting, reflecting a malicious intention to smear and attack the HKSAR Government,' it said in a statement, adding Lai had requested his removal from the general prison population. Sebastien Lai said his concern for his father is also layered with pride. 'I'm very proud that someone like my father has decided to do what he did – campaigning for democracy for the last 30 years, staying in Hong Kong when it mattered, when the national security law was coming down…and almost acting like a lightning rod.' 'On a personal level, it's devastating. But on a grander, historical level, it's important to keep watch.'
