What we've witnessed over the past few days in the Middle East is nothing short of remarkable, especially for those of us with a deep interest in international politics and diplomacy. For many, this fascination began by watching world leaders on the global stage, and it's what inspired us to enter this sector in the first place.
President Trump’s visit to the region, already shaping up to be a historic moment, was marked by a truly royal welcome. From Arabian horses escorting him to the royal palace in Riyadh, to Qatari fighter jets meeting Air Force One mid-air, a cyber truck motorcade, and a lavish state dinner at Lusail Palace, the pageantry was undeniable. But behind this grandeur lies a significant shift in global politics, particularly for the Middle East.
The White House announced a staggering $600 billion in Saudi investment into the US, with over $140 billion earmarked for defence alone. Not only were sanctions lifted on Syria, but its leader was also praised. There are whispers of a potential nuclear deal ceasefire with Iran, and in Qatar a landmark $96 billion deal was signed for up to 210 Boeing jets. These are just the headlines, with more likely to follow as the tour progresses, now underway in the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond these unprecedent numbers, one of the most striking moments for me was listening to Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia. What stood out wasn’t just policy, it was a shift in tone and approach that may define a new era in US–Middle East relations. Trump said:
“This great transformation has not come from Western interventionists … giving you lectures on how to live or how to govern your own affairs… Instead, the birth of a modern Middle East has been brought about by the people of the region themselves … developing your own sovereign countries, pursuing your own unique visions, and charting your own destinies.”
“In the end, the so-called ‘nation-builders’ wrecked far more nations than they built — and the interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves”.
And why is this so important? Because Trump, the leader of the free world and the most powerful country on the planet, has, perhaps unintentionally, affirmed something that many in the region have been saying for decades: that the Middle East has often been approached primarily through a geopolitical lens, shaped by external interests, particularly in relation to energy resources, with the US playing a significant role.
This is the essence of strategic communication, it is and precisely the kind of rhetoric that warrants serious analysis.
The traditional portrayal of the Middle East in the media is now being challenged and replaced by one that recognises its agency and growing global geopolitical importance.
Moving forward, Middle Eastern governments must seize this momentum. For many outside the region, this may be one of the first times they’ve witnessed Middle Eastern diplomacy not centred on war, sanctions, or crisis.
In a few years, the Trump administration will be gone, and it is unclear what direction future US leadership will take. That’s why both American and Middle Eastern businesses should maximise the opportunity President Trump’s isolationism presents and to capitalise on current policy and trade opportunities. In particular, Middle Eastern countries must work closely with the US and its key industries to diversify their economies, an essential step toward realising their shared Vision 2030 goals and reducing reliance on oil.
For once, the region is not portrayed as needing to be stabilised, but rather as a partner, capable of shaping international agendas, offering value to the West, and asserting itself diplomatically. This is a moment of opportunity, and it must not be wasted.
by Alfa Uddin, Junior Consultant