US President Donald Trump wrapped up a four-day tour of the Gulf region this week, visiting Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The trip focused heavily on military might, economic deals, and pressuring adversaries like Iran. But for Palestinians and Syrians, Trump’s visit delivered little more than headlines—without any meaningful change.
At Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Trump inspected cutting-edge U.S. weaponry. AI-powered drones, precision bombs, and surveillance tech were showcased. The display sent a clear warning to Iran. But the message had other targets too.
According to political analyst Mohammad Alqeeq, the show of force was also aimed at Europe. Trump wanted to remind EU nations of the vast US-led military coalition in the Middle East. “It’s a message to push NATO countries to increase their financial commitments,” Alqeeq said. Trump has long demanded that NATO members spend more, and this tour was part of that pressure campaign.
But this pursuit of strength came with risks. Alqeeq warned that Trump’s strategy could spark new conflicts instead of preventing them. “Trump proved that US stability often means global instability,” he said. “The new slogan isn’t ‘America First’ anymore. It’s just ‘Just America.’”
Trump’s Gulf agenda also centered on business. In Saudi Arabia, he announced a $142 billion arms deal. Qatar followed with a $96 billion contract with Qatar Airways. The UAE pledged over $1.4 trillion in investments in U.S. tech, AI, and energy. Trump celebrated these deals as victories for American workers and the economy. Yet critics pointed out that flooding the region with weapons could deepen unrest and inequality.
One of the more unexpected moments came when Trump met Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. The US agreed to lift sanctions on Syria—a move the media called a “gift.” But Alqeeq pushed back. He argued that lifting sanctions is a legal and humanitarian obligation, not a favor. “The media spun it as generosity to distract from deeper plans,” he said. Those plans, he warned, include Israeli efforts to divide Syria further by fueling internal chaos.
On Gaza, the visit brought no progress. Despite reported goodwill gestures from Hamas through regional mediators, Trump offered no vision for ending the genocide. He made it clear that no ceasefire would happen without Israeli approval. “There is no tension with Israel,” Alqeeq noted, “so there will be no deal without their green light.”
Sources say Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, made a quiet deal with Hamas: free a captured US soldier in return for easing the Gaza blockade. But the US reportedly failed to hold up its end of the deal.
Instead of calming the region, Trump’s tour may have inflamed it. His speeches were filled with talk of deterrence and dominance, but lacked a roadmap to peace. As Alqeeq put it, “The price of US strength is the instability of others.”
With Iran squeezed, Syria divided, and Gaza still being genocided, Trump’s Gulf visit succeeded in showing power. But for those seeking peace and justice, it offered no answers—only more questions.
