Trump Restores Trust With American Allies in Middle East

Negotiates beginning of Middle East alliance to combat extremism, creates hope for peace in region

Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem on May 22. RONEN ZVULUN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

With quick visits to Riyadh, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, President Donald Trump has reasserted American leadership in the Middle East and laid out an ambitious agenda to bring peace and stability to the region.

Trump used speeches to the Arab Islamic American summit in Riyadh on May 21, and to a gathering of Israeli notables at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on May 23, to reset relations with the two closest U.S. allies in the region.

New Policy

King Salman of Saudi Arabia praised Trump’s visit as a “turning point” in relations with the United States.