When Donald Trump stepped onto the stage in Riyadh on May 13, 2025, few could have anticipated the diplomatic earthquake that would follow. His speech, widely praised by allies in the Gulf and even cautiously noted by longtime rivals, marked a significant departure from decades of American foreign policy. It wasn’t just rhetoric – it was a blueprint for a new kind of engagement in the Middle East, one built on respect, realism, and a reevaluation of the past.

This wasn’t Trump’s first visit to Riyadh – his 2017 address as president was also historic. But this time, he returned not as a sitting president, but as a frontrunner for the 2024 election who still commands massive influence in US foreign policy circles. And while previous presidents have made symbolic speeches in the region – Barack Obama’s 2009 Cairo address comes to mind – Trump’s Riyadh speech was different. It was clear, unapologetic, and bold in both its praise and its criticism. It’s not an exaggeration to call it historic.

One of the most unexpected and groundbreaking moments came when Trump extended what many perceived as an olive branch to Iran. Despite years of antagonism – including his decision in 2018 to withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal – Trump spoke of the need for a “new balance” in the region. Without softening his criticism of Tehran’s past behavior, he signaled a willingness to pursue peace if Iran chose diplomacy over disruption.

More surprisingly, he proposed a major shift in US policy toward Syria by announcing the lifting of long-standing sanctions on Damascus, provided that President Bashar al-Assad agreed to certain humanitarian benchmarks and political reforms. “The Syrian people have suffered long enough,”........

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