US President Donald Trump returned to Washington late Friday night aboard the vintage Boeing 747 he aims to replace.
This aircraft is a remnant from the presidency of George HW Bush, who succeeded Ronald Reagan.
Over the decades, this plane and its twin – often referred to as ‘the other Air Force One’ – have made countless journeys to and from the Middle East, as its premium passengers have been actively engaged in the region.
Mr. Bush Sr. initiated the invasion of Iraq after it seized Kuwait, a small, oil-rich nation to its south. His son carried out the second Gulf War, a more extensive invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Libya also fell into civil war following a misguided Western effort to oust Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Throughout this period, Lebanon disintegrated, and the Houthi rebels took control in Yemen, prompting Saudi Arabia to declare war on them.
Numerous Arab Springs occurred, many of which eventually fizzled out.
Under Bill Clinton’s presidency, Israel and the Palestinians reached a semblance of peace, which was lost in this century.
Radical Departure
Donald Trump’s speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum marked a notable shift from US diplomatic traditions.
However, Mr. Trump’s recent trip on the old Boeing carried a distinctly different message for both the region and the US.
It was a denunciation of the so-called neoconservatives and liberal interventionists, alongside the policies they have promoted over the years while this iteration of Air Force One has been in service.
The address was a harsh rejection of the Republican and Democratic parties’ decades-long efforts to reshape the region, while simultaneously delivering a soft message to the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, eschewing blame or reprimand.
This was observed with concern in Israel and Iran, particularly as Iran has recently re-engaged with the US regarding a potential nuclear agreement.
Mr. Trump’s rhetoric represented a significant departure in tone, making it worthwhile to quote his remarks at length:
“Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending ancient conflicts and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism; and where diverse nations, religions, and creeds collaborate instead of destroying one another.”
“This great transformation has not arisen from Western intervention or lectures on governance, but from the very people of the region who have built their sovereign nations and pursued their unique visions.”
“It’s truly remarkable what you have accomplished.”
“Ultimately, the so-called nation builders have harmed more nations than they have helped; they intervened in complex societies without truly understanding them.”
“Peace, prosperity, and progress stem not from a radical rejection of your heritage, but from embracing your national traditions — only you could achieve this.”
“You have wrought a modern miracle the Arabian way, which is commendable.”
“Today, the Gulf nations provide a model for creating secure, orderly societies with improved living standards, flourishing economies, and growing global responsibilities.”
“After decades of conflict, we can finally aspire to a future dreamed of by previous generations: a land of peace, safety, harmony, opportunity, innovation, and accomplishment right here in the Middle East.”
The Abraham Accords
Donald Trump highlighted the announcement that Saudi Arabia will host a World Cup.
The US president praised the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), expressing admiration for the impressive skylines of Riyadh and other Arabian cities.
He invited Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, to stand as he noted Saudi Arabia’s upcoming World Cup hosting, akin to the US hosting next year.
Who would have thought FIFA would facilitate a new paradigm in US-Middle East relations?
While the usual conflict regions are not forgotten, there’s a noticeable shift occurring in the overarching strategy.
Mr. Trump remains committed to capitalizing on his first-term foreign policy success: the Abraham Accords, which aimed to normalize relations between Arab nations and Israel, and consequently with the US.
The next major goal is securing Saudi Arabia’s participation in the accords, something they were reportedly close to achieving prior to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
Discussing the Abraham Accords in Saudi Arabia, he expressed his “fervent hope, wish, and even dream” that Saudi Arabia will soon join the agreements.
He stated: “It will be an extraordinary gesture for your country and pivotal for the future of the Middle East.”
“I took a risk in establishing these accords, and they have been a bonanza for participating countries… a special day will come when Saudi Arabia joins us, honoring me and all those who’ve strived for the Middle East.”
“But you’ll make that decision at your own pace, as you desire, and that’s how it should be.”
Iran Nuclear Deal
Both the Biden administration and Israel have placed partial blame on Iran for the October 7, 2023, attack.
The Trump administration assigns blame to both Iran and Joe Biden.
The US accused Iran of advancing its foreign policy goals by supporting proxy groups like Hezbollah.
The Trump administration criticizes Biden for allegedly empowering Iran by easing oil export sanctions to facilitate the nuclear deal aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which could complement its existing ballistic missile arsenal.
Throughout the operation of those two Air Force One planes, the US has condemned Iran for pursuing its foreign policy objectives through proxy forces, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
The US further accuses Iran of enabling destabilizing entities like the Islamic State by allowing figures like al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab Zarqawi to destabilize Iraq during George W. Bush’s presidency.
In the past year, however, Iran has experienced significant setbacks, including the deaths of high-ranking Hamas and Hezbollah militants due to Israeli attacks, the decline of the Assad regime in Syria, and US involvement in direct actions against the Houthis.
Most significantly, Israel directly attacked Iran last October, crippling its air defense systems and leaving its nuclear facilities vulnerable.
Analysts like Karim Sadjadpour from the Carnegie Endowment for Peace suggest that the current geopolitical landscape and Mr. Trump’s emphasis on energy and trade as foreign policy instruments may have opened up a window for potential negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear desires.
Such an agreement might be more limited than the deal Mr. Trump rejected while in office.
To safeguard its oil exports to China, protect its nuclear power pursuits, and maintain its regime’s stability, Sadjadpour posits that the Iranian government might consider a restricted agreement.
This could entail Iran retaining its nuclear energy capabilities while permitting the sale of sufficient oil to sustain its economy, decreasing the risk of popular insurrection.
However, it would likely require Iran to abandon nuclear weapons and cease proxy military actions.
In his address in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump underscored both the regime’s fear of internal upheaval due to economic stagnation and the potential for severe military repercussions if it fails to reach an agreement focused on eliminating nuclear weapons capabilities.
As the US president articulated: “While you are erecting the world’s tallest skyscrapers in Jeddah and Dubai, Tehran’s 1979 monuments are collapsing to dust… While Arab states strive to be pillars of stability and global commerce, Iran’s leaders prioritize funding terror and chaos abroad.”
“Tragically, they have pulled an entire region down with them.”
“Countless lives were lost in Iran’s attempt to sustain a faltering regime in Syria — just witness what transpired there.”
New Syrian Leadership
Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Credit: Bandar Al-Jaloud/Saudi Royal Court)
Indeed, while in Riyadh, Mr. Trump met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president.
He is initiating the process of normalizing relations with Syria, and on Wednesday, Mr. Trump unexpectedly lifted sanctions against the country, asserting that it deserves the opportunity to recover.
He revealed that both MbS and Turkish President Recep Erdogan — a significant figure in Syrian affairs — had urged him to consider this action.
On Friday, the IMF announced that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have repaid Syria’s $15 billion loan to the fund, making it eligible for new funding.
Celebrations erupted in Syria following Donald Trump’s lifting of sanctions against the country.
Mr. Trump encouraged the Syrian people to follow Saudi Arabia’s example of pursuing peace and security with their neighbors at their own pace.
“I express my best wishes to Syria. Show us something unique, much like what has been achieved in Saudi Arabia,” he remarked.
Turning toward the audience, he added, “You’re going to present something special; truly good people.”
This is reminiscent of the vintage Trump rhetoric often heard on the campaign trail.
Will it succeed in shaping international relations in the Middle East? It’s uncertain, but it certainly diverges from the established norms of US diplomatic communication in this region.
Mr. Trump also briefly addressed Lebanon’s promising future, “which has been persistently victimized by Hezbollah and their Iranian sponsors.”
With a new president and prime minister, the country now has what Mr. Trump referred to as “the first genuine opportunity in decades for a more productive partnership with the United States.”
He has appointed a personal friend and golfer as US Ambassador to Lebanon — Michael Issa, a financier with a notable background in real estate financial restructuring, who is of Lebanese descent.
Working to End Gaza War
The one nation that received minimal mention in this sweeping address regarding the Middle East was Israel.
On the day of his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Hamas released Eden Alexander, the last holding US citizen in Gaza.
In his speech, Mr. Trump stated he is actively working to bring an end to the conflict as promptly as possible.
“What’s unfolding is dreadful,” he remarked before swiftly condemning the October 7 attack.
He acknowledged the suffering of the people in Gaza, deserving of a better future, but cautioned that such a future will remain elusive as long as “their leaders opt to kidnap, torture, and target innocent men, women, and children for political motives.”
That was essentially the extent of his mentions concerning Israel and the Palestinians in the main address.
Prior to this, following Mr. Alexander’s release, Mr. Trump used social media to describe his return to Israel as “a goodwill gesture from Hamas.”
Donald Trump returned from the Middle East with a significant arms deal.
This development has led some to view it as an implicit criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is increasingly perceived as an obstacle to achieving a lasting ceasefire and furthering Mr. Trump’s vision for the Israeli-Palestinian relationship.
The Washington Post reported remarks from Ilan Goldberg, chief policy officer of the pro-Israeli lobbying group J-Street, indicating that the second Trump administration is pursuing a markedly different approach to Israel compared to the first.
“While Trump’s Gulf allies shower him with deals and victories, he sees only complications when he looks at Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israel — including a seemingly unending war in Gaza,” Goldberg noted.
He added that the US president views Israeli political leadership as “intent on undermining Iran negotiations” and failing to make necessary compromises for deeper regional integration.
Yes, Mr. Trump returned from this first planned overseas trip loaded with tangible outcomes, predominantly in the form of contracts for US aircraft and aero engines (a highly valued commodity), as well as a substantial arms deal with Saudi Arabia alongside commitments for direct investment in US industry.
Qatari Plane
Additionally, he returned with a luxury Boeing 747 previously owned by the Qatari royal family, which they no longer desire.
This is the aircraft Mr. Trump envisions transforming into a new Air Force One while awaiting the delivery of two new Air Force Ones from Boeing; a contract he originally negotiated during his first term for $3.7 billion, though delays have raised costs to nearly $5 billion.
The Qatari aircraft is estimated to be worth $400 million, the typical list price for similar planes — yet not currently available as Boeing ceased production of 747s two years ago.
Aviation analysts at Cirium informed Reuters that a second-hand 747-8 might fetch around a quarter of that amount, while a VIP jet trader suggested that the unique interior of the Qatari jet would command a higher valuation than the plane itself. The extensive modifications needed to upgrade it to near-Air Force One security standards would be time-consuming and costly, leading to doubts about President Trump’s ability to utilize it much during his remaining term (although Steve Bannon asserts Mr. Trump will run for a third term in 2028, regardless of constitutional constraints).
To critics both domestically and abroad, this arrangement resembles a considerable bribe.
Within the broader context of Mr. Trump’s Middle Eastern diplomacy, however, it exemplifies the Arab method of conducting business: major deals facilitated by personal gifts.
This aligns with the overarching message he aims to convey — that he desires the Arabs, Israelis, and Iranians to discover their own avenues toward peaceful coexistence, anchored in prosperity and progress rather than conflict and division. Accepting a seemingly unnecessary gift (and the accompanying cultural implications) could be a small price for securing a larger goal of regional stability.
