Trump’s Middle East Tour Holds Deeper Diplomatic Stakes Beyond Billion-Dollar Deals

• Trump lifts Syria sanctions in a landmark policy shift during Gulf tour.

• Meets Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa for first US-Syria talks in 25 years.

• US brokering Gaza relief, pressuring Iran, and signaling daylight with Netanyahu.

• Critics cautiously welcome Syria diplomacy; concerns about al-Sharaa’s past persist.

• Congressional leaders demand progress on security and stability before more support.

Trump’s Gulf Tour Yields Unexpected Diplomatic Developments

President Donald Trump’s current tour of the Middle East is reshaping regional alliances in ways the White House has largely downplayed. While initial headlines focused on mega-deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, a quiet yet historic meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa may prove to be the most consequential moment of the visit.

Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria marked the first direct engagement with Syrian leadership in over two decades, as he seeks to position Syria as a unified, stable player in the region after years of civil war.

Syria Sanctions Lifted in Gamble for Peace

In Riyadh, Trump met with al-Sharaa, once branded a terrorist and successor to Bashar al-Assad. The move to lift sanctions was hailed by regional analysts as a calculated risk to prevent Syria’s collapse and expand American diplomatic leverage.

However, critics — including Sen. Lindsey Graham — urged caution, warning that al-Sharaa had seized power through force rather than democratic means. Still, Leon Panetta called it a “good move,” while bipartisan Senate voices requested swift follow-up steps on ISIS and Iranian influence.

Tensions with Netanyahu and Iran Pressure Strategy

As Trump courts cooperation from Syria and Arab allies, friction has grown with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially over Gaza policy and the exclusion of Israel from certain ceasefire discussions. Meanwhile, Trump is also building new pressure on Iran, warning of military consequences if nuclear talks stall.

Critics Warn of Trump’s “Strongman” Bias

Trump’s praise for al-Sharaa, calling him a “great young attractive guy,” raised eyebrows given the leader’s al-Qaeda-linked past. Observers fear this could echo past US missteps in the region, backing strongmen for short-term stability with long-term costs.