Latest news with #TrumpGulfTrip
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Israel 'severely damages' Yemen ports in new strikes
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip Israel launched strikes on Yemen on Friday, which it said had "severely damaged" Houthi-controlled ports, hours after US President Donald Trump departed the region. The Israeli military said it "struck and dismantled terrorist infrastructure" at the ports of Hodeidah and Salif, which it said were being used to transfer weapons. The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said there were "violent raids" at the ports. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israel and the Iran-backed Houthis have exchanged several rounds of strikes, with Sanaa's international airport knocked out of action after the Yemeni rebels landed a missile near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. "If the Houthis continue to fire missiles at the state of Israel, they will suffer painful blows," said Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. He said rebel leader Abdul-Malik Al Houthi could be the next top militant "eliminated" by Israel after the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs. "Just as we did to Deif and the Sinwars in Gaza, to Nasrallah in Beirut, and to Haniyeh in Tehran ... we will also hunt down and eliminate Abd Malek al-Houthi in Yemen," Mr Katz said, referring to some of the militant leaders killed by Israel. Mr Trump's administration announced a ceasefire with the Houthis this month, after a campaign of US strikes to halt attacks from Yemen on Red Sea shipping. Israel was not part of the ceasefire deal. Analysts have noted that Mr Trump's Middle East visit highlighted differences between the US and Israel, including in their approach to Syria and Iran. The president did not stop in Israel on his three-country tour. It was left to Mr Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reassure Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call that the US still has a "deep commitment" to their relationship. While in Riyadh, Mr Trump encouraged Saudi Arabia to establish ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Trump's Middle East tour leaves Israel in 'confusion'
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East has left Israel in a position of uncertainty, highlighting differences over Iran and Syria while it presses on with its war in Gaza, experts have told The National. Mr Trump on Friday concluded a Gulf tour on which he met Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara, signed major economic deals worth trillions of dollars with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and attempted to tackle several crises and conflicts across the Middle East. He also set out a carrot-and-stick approach to Iran and raised the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and establishing ties with Israel, though that is yet to happen. "Mr Trump has not only left out Israel from his tour, which certainly conveys certain signals, but also shed light on policy differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over Syria and Iran," said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East North Africa Programme at London's Chatham House. Mr Trump's visit "shows the close relationship between Gulf states and Washington and his willingness to listen to them on key regional issues", Ms Vakil told The National. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Syria and Iran while Mr Trump was touring the Gulf, and assured him of the solid ties between the two states. Mr Rubio "stressed the deep US commitment to its historic relationship with Israel and the ironclad US support for Israeli security", State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. She said the two men expressed a "mutual commitment to make sure Iran never possesses a nuclear weapon". However, Mr Trump's trip leaves a confused picture behind in Israel, said Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the country's Institute for National Security Studies. 'There is a sort of confusion because on the one hand, politicians in Israel feel that they were thrown aside, but on the other hand, there is no doubt that some things that have been said or done by Mr Trump are deeply and well co-ordinated with Israel,' he said. The co-ordinated issues included the push to include Saudi Arabia and other Arab states in the Abraham Accords, Mr Michael told The National. But Mr Trump's move to lift US sanctions on Syria was a move that Israel has opposed. The visit also comes at a time where the US has been engaged in talks with Iran – mediated by Oman – with four rounds being held since April 12. Both sides have described the negotiations positively and a further round is expected soon. Reports have emerged of ties between Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu becoming strained as the two leaders are at odds over a possible Iranian nuclear deal. Israel has previously opposed making concessions to Tehran on the nuclear issue. Mr Trump said on Friday 'good things' would happen in the Gaza Strip over the next month. That was a change from his previous rhetoric, having threatened that "all hell is going to break out" if Hamas did not release Israeli hostages. 'We have to help the Palestinians, a lot of people are starving in Gaza,' said Mr Trump after boarding Air Force One in the UAE, without elaborating on what would happen. Earlier in the day, speaking at a business forum in Abu Dhabi, Mr Trump said he was looking to resolve a range of global crises, including Gaza. 'We're looking at Gaza,' he said. 'And we've got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are – there's a lot of bad things going on.' Israel has been pressing ahead with its brutal war on the besieged strip. No aid has entered since early March and the entire population of Gaza is at critical risk of famine, with half a million people facing starvation, a global hunger monitor warned this week. On Friday, it was reported that at least 250 people have been killed by the latest round Israeli strikes in Gaza. Israel was also taken by surprise when the US announced a ceasefire with Yemen's Houthi rebels early this month. The agreement mediated by Oman stipulates neither the US nor the Houthis would target the other, including US vessels in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandeb. The deal did not feature Israel. Dina Esfindiary, Middle East geoeconomics lead at Bloomberg Economics, told The National the move shows 'the relationship between Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn't as comfortable as many may think'. That the deal does not cover Israel is 'interesting in itself, they were not even told about it and were taken by surprise when they heard', she said.
The National
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
From Chirac to Trump: The rich history of the UAE's Order of Zayed
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip US President Donald Trump joined an elite band of world leaders when he was granted the UAE's Order of Zayed on Thursday. The elaborate gold medal is considered the UAE's highest civilian award and is conferred on heads of state and leading dignitaries, typically during visits to the Emirates, in recognition of their contributions on the global stage. It serves as an enduring symbol of the warm friendship between the UAE and nations around the world and is an award that stretches back decades. It is named in honour of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, helping to further his legacy of international co-operation and humanitarianism. Mr Trump is the second US President to receive the accolade, with George W Bush also granted the Order of Zayed during his state visit in 2008. Japan's Emperor Naruhito was awarded the Order of Zayed during a visit to the UAE in January 1995, when he was his country's Crown Prince. The ceremony took place at Mushrif Palace in the capital. An eventful tour of the Emirates also included a trip to the top of the top of Jebel Hafeet and a chance to indulge in local passions at a camel race and a football match, as well as a cruise down Dubai Creek. Former French president Jacques Chirac received the Order of Zayed from the UAE Founder, Sheikh Zayed, during a visit to the Emirates in 1997. The UAE paid homage to the distinguished politician following his death in 2019 by naming a street after him. Jacques Chirac Street – which leads to Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island – was unveiled at a ceremony attended by dignitaries. China's President Xi Jinping was bestowed the Order of Zayed by the late President Sheikh Khalifa as part of his key visit to the UAE in 2018. He received the award in recognition of his efforts to develop and strengthen the friendship and co-operation between the UAE and China. Other global leaders and heads of state to be granted the award include Russian President Vladimir Putin, as part of the first visit to the Emirates by a Russian leader in 2007; Saudi Arabia's King Salman; Britain's Queen Elizabeth II; King Mohammed VI of Morocco; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In somewhat of a break from tradition, the UAE highlighted the achievements of its own leaders following the success of the Cop28 climate talks, held in Dubai in 2023. President Sheikh Mohamed awarded the Order of Zayed to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court at a ceremony in February 2024.
The National
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Turkey says US could leave Syria as ties warm
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip Turkey suggested on Thursday that a reconciliation between the US and Syria could lead to a full withdrawal of American troops from Syrian territory. Any decision would depend on US President Donald Trump's assessment of the situation after he lifted sanctions on the new regime in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. 'If the circumstances that caused this army to be in Syria are gone, then too the consequences,' said Mr Fidan. 'This is tied to the assessment of Mr Trump to the situation.' US troops intervened in Syria in 2014 to support the mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces in the north-east of the country, near the border with Turkey. The US helped established the SDF as the ground component of its fight with ISIS, drawing the ire of Ankara. US officials said last month that about 600 troops would be withdrawn from the country, leaving fewer than 1,000 behind. But Mr Trump has not ordered a full withdrawal. In a surprise announcement during his Gulf trip, Mr Trump said the US would lift sanctions that were mostly imposed on the former Bashar Al Assad regime after its suppression of protests in 2011 that escalated into a civil war. On Wednesday, Mr Trump met Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara in Riyadh, coming face to face with a former militant leader who was once an American prisoner. Mr Al Shara led the offensive that ousted the Assad regime in December. Mr Fidan was meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani on Antalya on Thursday to discuss the next stages of sanctions relief. He said they would follow up on the Trump-Al Shara meeting, which was also attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Mr Fidan said the US troop presence was one of many issues to be tackled in Syria, but did not say it would specifically be raised on Thursday. 'I do not think there will be any problems in the US withdrawing its forces from Syria,' if that was the decision, he said. In Riyadh on Wednesday, Mr Trump and Mr Shara and discussed counter-terrorism co-operation. The meeting was a crucial boost to the fledging order in Damascus and efforts to halt Iranian expansionism in the Middle East. 'We always strive to fight ISIS and other terrorist organisations. We will continue with the same policies in the coming period,' Mr Fidan said. A European diplomat said the meeting was 'not good news for the Kurds in particular'. He said the potential for a US new alliance with Damascus would render the SDF less useful to Washington and make the US more responsive to Turkish demands to dissolve the group, a goal also shared by Mr Al Shara. In March, Mr Al Shara signed a signed a deal with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi to end hostilities and for all armed groups in eastern Syria to join the new state. Mr Fidan said the deal means that the Kurdish Protection Forces, the main component of the SDF, must disband.
The National
15-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Wellness experts on how Donald Trump can manage jet leg and energy levels on jam-packed tour of Middle East
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip US President Donald Trump continues his four-day tour of the Middle East with a stop in Abu Dhabi on Thursday before he departs for the US on Friday. The septuagenarian has worked nearly non-stop since he disembarked from the plane in Riyadh on Tuesday, with an itinerary packed with back-to-back meetings, keynote speeches, state dinners and public appearances in Riyadh and Doha, as well as making visits to key cultural stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. At 78, Trump became the oldest person in American history to be inaugurated as president. Trump's published schedule shows 12 to 14-hour working days on each leg of his Gulf trip, and his visit to Abu Dhabi is equally busy. This comes after a 14-hour journey from Washington to Riyadh, flying through seven time zones along the way. Despite flying to the region on Air Force One, one of the biggest challenges for Trump will have been the long-haul nature of the trip. His plane also stopped for fuel in the UK after leaving Washington, and will do the same on the return journey from the Gulf. Wellness experts say that managing such a long journey and relentless schedule requires resilience and self-care, no matter your age. 'The body's ability to adjust to long-haul travel and rapid time zone changes becomes naturally less efficient over the years,' says Dr Karima Arroud, a consultant in functional medicine and aesthetics at Wellth clinic, Dubai. 'Age-related shifts, such as decreased melatonin production, slower cellular recovery and more sensitive circadian rhythms, can make demanding travel schedules more physiologically taxing. However, with the right strategies, it is entirely possible to support the body's resilience and maintain well-being during international trips.' Jet lag and sleep disruption are common with time zone changes, notes Dr Niranjana Sreedevi Nandakumar, a specialist in geriatrics at Aster Clinic in Dubai. 'The body's circadian rhythm – our natural internal clock – relies on cues like light, temperature and melatonin. Exposure to natural light, physical activity and, if advised, melatonin supplements can ease adjustment and support better rest,' she says. Another hack that can make the adjustment easier is getting early exposure to natural sunlight, Arroud says, which will help reset the body's internal clock as well as improve alertness, such as when Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday morning. She notes that nutritional support is also key and suggests taking magnesium glycinate in the evenings to improve sleep quality. 'Staying well-hydrated, limiting caffeine and alcohol after midday, and consuming protein-rich meals in alignment with the new time zone can help maintain stable energy levels and digestion,' she adds. 'Short naps of 15 to 30 minutes can also aid in managing daytime fatigue without affecting nighttime rest.' Trump seems to have been in high spirits during most of his trip. On day three on Thursday, he gave a speech at Doha's Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, before doing what has become known as the 'Trump dance', to the Village People's YMCA as he walked off to a round of applause.
