Trump Skips Israel on Middle East Tour in Shift Toward Gulf Allies
President Donald Trump has bypassed Israel on a high-profile tour of the Middle East, instead focusing on closer ties with Gulf nations where he has announced major security and investment deals.
The week-long trip includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, signaling a recalibration of US regional priorities.
During his visit to Riyadh, Trump was received with full ceremonial honors and signed a sweeping $142 billion defense pact aimed at bolstering regional security cooperation.
He also unveiled $1 trillion in economic agreements spanning artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
The deals mark a dramatic improvement in US-Saudi relations, which were strained following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
In a move likely to raise concern in Tel Aviv, Trump announced the lifting of all US sanctions on Syria, citing a new political reality in Damascus.
The sanctions, imposed under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, had targeted the regime of Bashar al-Assad for alleged human rights abuses and aimed to block foreign investment in reconstruction efforts.
The sanctions had been a central pillar of US policy on Syria since 2019.
Trump said the decision follows the departure of Assad and the emergence of a transitional government, and he framed the action as a step toward regional stability.
“Syria deserves a fresh start, and the United States is prepared to support that future,” Trump said during a joint press appearance in Riyadh.
The decision to skip Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the region, has drawn criticism from some US lawmakers and Israeli officials.
While the White House has not commented on the omission, regional analysts suggest the administration is prioritising a broader Gulf-centered strategy focused on economic influence and regional balancing.
Trump is expected to travel next to Doha and Abu Dhabi, where further agreements are anticipated.
His tour comes at a pivotal moment, as the US seeks to redefine its Middle East posture amid growing influence from China and renewed instability across the region.
ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org