Trump's Middle East Trip Yields Key Diplomatic Moves

President Donald Trump's Middle East trip may include a potential diplomatic breakthrough with Syria, with some analysts predicting a significant win for the administration. Trump's willingness to re-establish relations with Syria, potentially lifting crippling sanctions, could be a key development. Syria's new interim president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, has expressed a desire to cooperate with the US on intelligence issues and business, and has shown hostility towards Iran. Some experts, such as Natasha Hall of CSIS, believe this presents a "historic opportunity" for the US, while others, like former US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, urge caution due to Al-Sharaa's authoritarian nature and the weakness of the Syrian government.

US President Donald Trump has announced that he will lift sanctions on Syria ahead of an expected meeting with the country's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia. The decision was met with celebrations in the Syrian capital, Damascus, where people cheered, danced, and fired guns in the air. The sanctions had previously blocked foreign financing and aid from reaching Syria. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani hailed the move as a "pivotal turning point" for the country, saying it would allow for "stability, self-sufficiency and genuine reconstruction" after years of war. The US decision marks a significant foreign policy shift, as it had previously tied lifting sanctions to progress on minority rights. Trump's announcement followed a request from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

President Trump announced that he will be lifting sanctions on Syria, citing a desire to give the country a "chance at greatness." Trump made the announcement during a speech in Saudi Arabia, where he is meeting with regional leaders, including new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has roots in extremist movements. The US has not had normal diplomatic relations with Syria in over a decade, but Trump said the move is backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who are seeking to limit Iranian influence in the region. However, some US lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have expressed caution, citing concerns about Sharaa's background and the need for congressional approval to ease sanctions.

Donald Trump's recent trip to the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, has highlighted his admiration for the region's authoritarian leadership style and rapid development. Trump has praised the Gulf states' ability to undertake large-scale projects without the constraints of US regulations and scrutiny, and has sought to attract hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign investment. The trip has also underscored the growing geopolitical and economic influence of the Gulf states, with Qatar emerging as a key diplomatic player. Trump's affection for strongmen leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has raised concerns about his willingness to overlook human rights issues in pursuit of economic and strategic interests. Trump's vision for America appears to be influenced by the Gulf model, with its emphasis on authoritarian power, unchecked spending, and a transactional approach to foreign policy.

President Donald Trump warned Iran in a speech in Saudi Arabia that it must choose between abandoning its nuclear ambitions or facing "maximum pressure". Trump accused Iran's leaders of stealing their people's wealth to fund terrorism and bloodshed abroad, and pointed to the country's support for the former Assad regime in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He stated that if Iran rejects his offer, the US will have no choice but to inflict "massive maximum pressure". Trump also expressed his willingness to make a deal with Iran and see Tehran prosper, citing that some of the US' closest friends were former enemies.

US President Trump is visiting the Gulf states, hailing a "golden age of the Middle East". He has vowed to stop sanctions on Syria and expressed his desire for a nuclear deal with Iran. The visit is being discussed on Sky News' podcast "The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim", with reporters sharing insights from their trips to Syria and the region.

US President Donald Trump is considering attending potential peace talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul, Turkey. Zelenskyy had invited Putin to meet on Thursday, but Russia has not confirmed whether Putin will attend. Trump has previously claimed he could end the conflict in Ukraine in a day and has pushed for direct talks between the two sides. Zelenskyy has backed Trump's potential attendance, while Russia has remained silent on the matter, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refusing to confirm whether anyone from Russia would be travelling to Turkey.

US President Donald Trump announced that the US will lift long-standing sanctions on Syria and signed a $600bn deal with Saudi Arabia during a four-day trip to the Middle East. Trump made the announcement at a US-Saudi investment conference, where he also signed a nearly $142bn arms package with Saudi Arabia. Trump urged Iran to make a new nuclear deal with the US, warning of "maximum pressure" if his offer is rejected. He also expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel. Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia was part of a broader tour of the region, which will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.