Trump's Middle East tour: Security at the forefront
Donald Trump is heading to the Middle East. This is the first official visit of the U.S. president in this term.
What do you need to know?
- Donald Trump is heading to the Middle East on Tuesday
- The American president will visit three countries during the trip: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar
- The main theme of the visit is expected to be security
The U.S. president is expected to land in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, followed by visits to Qatar, and then the United Arab Emirates, which will last until 16th May.
U.S.-Gulf relations have significantly improved since Trump returned to office.
From the Middle Eastern perspective, it's time to strengthen ties with Washington and even "secure greater privileges in their relationship with the world's most powerful nation," stated Ebtesam AlKetbi, founder and president of the Emirates Policy Centre think tank in Abu Dhabi, during an interview.
Security is the goal of the visit
"Security, security, and more security," stated the needs of Saudi Arabia, Ali Shihabi, an author and commentator on Saudi Arabian politics and economics, in an interview with CNN.
"Gulf States are looking for reassurance of the US security commitment to the Gulf’s stability," he added.
