Trump’s Middle East Trip Flexes New Grand Strategy

Finally, a 21st-century foreign policy grand strategy — one focused on regional security, stability, and prosperity.

President Trump’s whirlwind Middle East trip revealed a bold shift in strategic thinking; the beginning moves of America’s first truly 21st-century grand strategy. Some short-sighted “experts” have dismissed the trip as a glitzy, camel-riding, sword-dancing, hair-twirling, ego-stroking exercise showcasing nothing more than a transactional president’s transactional diplomacy.
I disagree.
They fail to understand that we’re 25 years into a new century that, in many ways, has lacked any coherent agenda from Washington on foreign policy or diplomatic goals across the globe. America was mugged by history on 9/11. The George W. Bush administration immediately (and aggressively) turned to the Global War on Terror, which carried with it nation-building and democracy promotion. Those goals were unattainable from the start, but Washington carried on.
That is, until now. And who else could do it this quickly but President Trump?
Just think, in some 130 days, President Trump has not just engaged in nearly every theater, but busted through “conventional” thought, called bluffs, reframed realities, compelled friends to act more friendly, and reminded enemies that consequences are real. (RELATED: Trump’s Foreign Policy — a Calculated Conundrum)
In the Middle East alone, President Trump is charting a new, brighter course with an eye to the future. He cheered Turkey’s role in facilitating talks between Ukraine and Russia and surprised many by lifting longstanding U.S. sanctions against Syria. This is a brilliant and opportune move that may pull Syria away from Russia and Iran, weakening their influence in the region. Trump also publicly called Syria’s new president to embrace the Abraham Accords and normalization of ties with Israel. (RELATED: The Abraham Accords Are the Way Toward Peace)
In the Gulf states, Trump inked well over $1.5 trillion in military and commercial deals. He has deftly chosen to prioritize economic prosperity, trade, AI, and advanced technology as opposed to the...