Washington, July 17 (AP) — In the backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Syria, President Donald Trump hosted Gulf Arab leaders at the White House on Wednesday, calling into question his promise to bring peace to the Middle East.
Trump welcomed Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to an Oval Office meeting and later held a private dinner with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's prime minister.
Amid a backdrop of little resolution on difficult regional issues like the Gaza conflict, Trump focused on the potential for leveraging diplomatic relations to spur economic growth. "Anything they needed, we helped them," Trump remarked during his meeting with Bahrain's crown prince, adding, "And anything we needed, they helped us."
Bahrain, home to the strategic US Fifth Fleet, which operates throughout the Middle East, is a steadfast American ally. Eager to underscore the financial benefits of strong US ties, Crown Prince Salman stated that Bahrain will commit $17 billion in investments. "And this is real," he affirmed. "It's real money. These aren't fake deals."
White House details reveal that the agreements cover the purchase of American-made airplanes, jet engines, and computer servers, with additional investments in aluminum production and artificial intelligence anticipated. An agreement signed on Wednesday will further civilian nuclear energy cooperation, reinforcing the strong bilateral relationship.
Trump's private dinner with Qatar's prime minister came on the heels of his recent visit to the country, where he visited the impressive palaces and stopped at Al Udeid Air Base, a critical US military asset targeted by Iranian missile strikes following the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
In light of delays in Boeing's production, Trump has expressed interest in utilizing a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar as Air Force One, raising concerns about security and propriety surrounding accepting such gifts from foreign entities.
Aaron David Miller, a seasoned adviser on Middle East affairs to both Democratic and Republican administrations, commented, "The Gulf encapsulates Trump's vision of what's right about the Middle East. It's wealthy, stable, and governed by authoritarians with whom Trump feels at ease."
Meanwhile, violence surged in Syria as Bedouin tribes clashed with Druze factions in the south, prompting government intervention. This development alarmed Israel, where the Druze community holds considerable political sway. In response, Israel executed airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday. Although a ceasefire was announced, its longevity remains in doubt.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was also present during Trump's meeting with Bahrain’s crown prince, attributed the conflict to "an unfortunate situation and a misunderstanding," expressing optimism in achieving a "real de-escalation" for Syria's reconstruction efforts after prolonged civil war.
Despite global criticism of Israel's severe military measures in Gaza, the nation has succeeded in impairing its adversaries, including Hezbollah and Iran. Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute observed, "There's growing concern that an unchecked Israel presents a greater unpredictability." He further cautioned, "There remains no strategic solution for tackling the unresolved issues of Iran's nuclear agenda and other regional interferences, like its backing of the Houthis." (AP)
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