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Federal policy on Arab states of the Persian Gulf, 2017-2018

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One of President Donald Trump's stated initiatives has been to end extremism and terrorism in the Middle East. During his first foreign trip as president, Trump called on Arab states to build a coalition to accomplish this goal. Trump said in a speech to the leaders of 55 Muslim-majority nations, "Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God." He reiterated the point, saying, "Above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet history’s great test—to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism."[1][2]

Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf include Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the exception of Iraq, these nations are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political and economic alliance. This page outlines major events and policy positions of the Trump administration related to these Gulf Arab states.

This page tracked major events and policy positions of the Trump administration and the 115th United States Congress on Arab states of the Persian Gulf from 2017 and 2018. This page was updated through 2018. Think something is missing? Please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Major events and policy announcements:

December 13, 2018: Senate passes resolution to withdraw support for Saudi war in Yemen

On December 13, 2018, the Senate approved a resolution that proposed requiring President Donald Trump to remove within 30 days U.S. Armed Forces in Yemen who are supporting Saudi Arabia in its proxy war with Iran. It passed by a vote of 56-41 and was the first time in history the Senate used its authority under the War Powers Act of 1973 to withdraw forces from a war it did not approve.[3][4][5]

Forty-seven Democrats, seven Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), and Mike Lee (R-Utah)—and independent Sens. Angus King (Maine) and Bernie Sanders (Vt.) voted for the resolution. Forty-one Republicans voted against the resolution. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) did not vote.

In order to take effect, the House would have to pass the resolution and Trump would have to sign it. The House will not take up the resolution before the end of the year because it approved a rule that would prevent lawmakers from forcing a war powers vote on December 12, 2018. Democrats are likely to take up the resolution when they take control of the House next year.[6]

The resolution was a response to the Trump administration’s support for Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi leadership. Senators also passed a resolution stating that the crown prince was responsible for Khashoggi's death.[6]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a sponsor of the resolution, said, “I hope … we send a loud and powerful message by passing this resolution. That we’re going to bring peace to that country and that the United States Congress is going to reassert its constitutional authority to be the body that makes war not the president.”[6]

Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) asked his colleagues to vote against the resolution. While acknowledging the concerns of lawmakers about Khashoggi’s death, McConnell said, "[W]e also want to preserve the 70-year partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia and we want to ensure it continues to serve American interests and stabilizes a dangerous and critical region."[6]

Before the vote, Yemen’s government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, agreed to a cease-fire in the nearly four-year conflict that has killed more than 10,000 civilians.[7]

October-November 2018: U.S. response to the murder of journalist by Saudi officials

October 23, 2018: Pompeo announces U.S. will revoke visas for Saudi officials over murder of journalist

On October 23, 2018, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced during a press conference that the U.S. would revoke the visas of 21 Saudi Arabian officials who were suspected to be responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo said that the U.S. had identified some members of the Saudi intelligence services, the royal court, the foreign ministry, and other Saudi ministries who they believed were involved in Khashoggi’s murder. He also said that the Trump administration was considering imposing Global Magnitsky sanctions. The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act allows the U.S. to impose financial sanctions on individuals who commit human rights abuses.[8]

In addition to revoking visas and exploring Magnitsky sanctions, Pompeo said, “These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States. We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those responsible accountable. We’re making very clear the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence.”[8]

Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a resident of Virginia, wrote articles that were critical of the Saudi government. He was killed in October after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, to get paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancée.[9]

According to The Hill, “The Saudi government says that Khashoggi died during a physical altercation with officials who sought to bring him back to the kingdom. The officials acted without approval, the Saudis say. But Turkish officials have said Khashoggi was tortured, killed and dismembered by a 15-person Saudi hit squad that included a forensic doctor wielding a bone saw.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the murder of Khashoggi was pre-planned and directed by top Saudi officials.[9]

President Donald Trump told reporters that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not know about the plan to murder Khashoggi before it happened. When asked if he thought the prince was involved in the plan, Trump said, “Well, the prince is running things over there more so at this stage. He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be, it would be him.”[10]

Speaking about Khashoggi’s murder, Trump said, “It should never have been in the thought process. But once it was done, it was done horribly and it certainly seems to me to have been covered up horribly.”[10]

The murder heightened tensions between the U.S., Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. "Tensions have grown between Turkey and Saudi Arabia since Mr. Erdogan backed Qatar in its dispute with Riyadh last year. Mr. Erdogan has also been angered by Mr. Trump’s decision to forge a closer military alliance with Saudi Arabia that has left Turkey, Washington’s ally in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, isolated," according to The Wall Street Journal.[10]

November 15, 2018: Treasury Department sanctions 17 Saudi officials

On November 15, 2018, the Treasury Department placed sanctions on 17 Saudi officials who were suspected to be responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The sanctions were imposed under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows the federal government to punish human rights offenders. The sanctions banned Americans from doing business with the 17 officials and any U.S. assets belonging to the officials were frozen.[11]

Saud Al-Qahtani, a senior official of the Government of Saudi Arabia, and Maher Mutreb, Al-Qahtani’s subordinate, were two of the 17 sanctioned. The Treasury Department said that they were “part of the planning and execution of the operation that led to the killing” of Khashoggi.[11]

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, “The Saudi officials we are sanctioning were involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi. These individuals who targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States must face consequences for their actions. The United States continues to diligently work to ascertain all of the facts and will hold accountable each of those we find responsible in order to achieve justice for Khashoggi’s fiancée, children, and the family he leaves behind. The Government of Saudi Arabia must take appropriate steps to end any targeting of political dissidents or journalists.”[11]

November 16, 2018: CIA finds Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi murder

On November 16, 2018, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) released a report that found Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.[12]

The Saudi government criticized the report. A spokesperson for the Saudi Embassy in Washington said in a statement, "The claims in this purported assessment are false. We have and continue to hear various theories without seeing the primary basis for these speculations."[12]

November 20, 2018: Trump releases statement reaffirming relationship with Saudi Arabia

On November 20, 2018, President Donald Trump released a statement reaffirming the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia. Citing Saudi Arabia’s help fighting Iran and terrorism in the Middle East, keeping oil prices low, and for agreeing to spend and invest $450 billion in the U.S. as reasons for maintaining U.S.-Saudi ties, Trump said, “The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!”[13]

On November 22, 2018, Trump reiterated his earlier statement and spoke about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He said, "I hate the crime and I hate what is done and I hate the cover-up. And I will tell you this, the crown prince hates it more than I do. … As I said, 'Maybe he did, maybe he didn't.' But I will say very strongly that it's a very important ally. And if we go by a certain standard we won't be able to have allies with almost any country."[14]

November 25, 2018: Lawmakers call on Trump to punish Saudi Arabia

On November 25, 2018, multiple members of Congress called on the Trump administration to punish Saudi Arabia for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said that she wanted to investigate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s involvement in Khashoggi’s death. She said, “I do think we need to look into this further, and we need to understand where the investigations are leading us. If there are indicators that the prince was involved in this murder, then we need to absolutely consider further action.”[15]

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) criticized Trump’s statement on Khashoggi’s murder, saying, “[Crown Prince Salman] contributed to murdering somebody abroad, and it is not strength to sort of mumble past that. Strength is telling the truth even when it’s hard.”[15]

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said that he he disagreed with Trump’s response to Khashoggi’s murder, saying, “This is not an ally that deserves this kind of military intervention, especially because there has been no connection between the safety of the American people and our involvement in this war.”[15]

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said that the Saudi crown prince was responsible for Khashoggi’s murder, saying, “He’s in total control. And you know we’re not going to find an email that says don’t forget the bone saw. So far what they’re doing is giving a pass to this guy. And I think it gives a pass to dictators around the world. That’s the danger. It undermines our authority and the authority of our values across the planet.”[15]

April 1, 2018: $1.3 billion Saudi arms sale approved by State Department

On April 1, 2018, the State Department approved an artillery sale to Saudi Arabia worth $1.3 billion. While opponents of the deal, including Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), argued that Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the Yemeni civil war and their blockade against Qatar should exclude the kingdom from U.S. support, the Trump Administration and the State Department moved forward with the deal, saying that such deals help secure U.S. interests in the Middle East. The sale came after an April 2018 sale worth $1 billion.[16]

March 22, 2018: Secretary Perry warns of Chinese and Russian competition in nuclear talks with Saudi Arabia

On March 22, 2018, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry argued that the Trump Administration’s nuclear negotiations with Saudi Arabia have to take potential competition from China and Russia into consideration. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Trump Administration were in talks to work out an agreement which would permit Saudi Arabia to buy nuclear reactors from U.S. companies.

According to Perry, if the U.S. adhered too strictly to the “gold standard,” the common nonproliferation ban on uranium enrichment and producing plutonium through spent fuel reprocessing, then Saudi Arabia could take their business to the Chinese or the Russians. For Perry, the possibility of the Saudis making a deal with either of the two nations that have less of an interest in nonproliferation than the U.S. constitutes enough of a risk to ease the expectation of adherence to the gold standard.

Opponents of such a strategy, including Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), stated that they would not support a deal that does not include the gold standard. Reed additionally mentioned that the United Arab Emirates has a similar deal with the U.S. that does include the gold standard. Citing the recent comments by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that “if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible,” opponents have expressed concern over whether the Saudi Arabian government actually plans to only develop nuclear energy for fuel purposes.[17]

March 22, 2018: State Department approves Saudi arms sale worth $1 billion

On March 22, 2018, the State Department announced their approval of a weapons sale to Saudi Arabia for $1 billion. Representatives of the State Department argued that supporting Saudi Arabia is necessary for securing U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense James Mattis supported the sale, saying that the kingdom is “part of the solution” to humanitarian issues in the Yemeni civil war.[18][19]

March 20, 2018: Senate denies effort to end military backing for Saudi Arabia in Yemen

On March 20, 2018, the Senate voted 55-44 to table legislation that would have forced President Donald Trump to withdraw all U.S. troops from Yemen, exempting those fighting Al Qaeda, within 30 days. The resolution would have ended the U.S. military's continued support for Saudi military activity throughout the civil war in Yemen. The Trump Administration had pushed back against the resolution, with Secretary of Defense James Mattis arguing that implementing the legislation would increase the level of civilian casualties and harm U.S. cooperation with the Saudis.

Proponents of the resolution, led by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), contended that the large number of civilian casualties in Yemen coupled with the escalation of the executive branch's military powers meant that Congress had to rein in U.S. operations in Yemen. Leading the congressional opposition to the resolution, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) echoed Secretary Mattis, saying, “Withdrawing U.S. support would increase, not decrease, the risk of civilian casualties."[20]

March 20, 2018: President Trump meets with Saudi crown prince at the White House

On March 20, 2018, President Donald Trump met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office. According to a statement released by the White House on March 21, 2018, President Trump and the crown prince discussed a wide range of issues, including the Yemeni civil war, economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, potential Saudi commercial opportunities in the U.S., and President Trump’s initiatives in Iran and against ISIS. The statement also said that the president and the crown prince, when discussing the civil war in Yemen, “agreed that a political resolution to the conflict is ultimately necessary” in order “to address the humanitarian situation.”[21]

After his father, King Salman, became the leader of the kingdom in June 2017, the crown prince led a series of economic and social reforms. The prince’s trip to the U.S. focused on reinforcing the economic relationship between the two countries, with the Trump Administration aiming to secure business deals across the country worth roughly $35 billion. The administration views its relationship with the crown prince as an important element in many of its Middle East policy projects, including restoring the Saudi-Qatari alliance, calming Israel-Palestine relations, and dampening Iran’s power in the region.[22]

September 8, 2017: State Department approves arms sales packages to Bahrain

On September 8, 2017, the State Department approved $3.8 billion in arms sales packages to Bahrain. According to Reuters, the package included the following: 19 F-16V jets; two 35 meter (114 feet) patrol boats with machine guns; 221 anti-tank missiles; and "$1.8 billion worth of upgrades to Bahrain’s existing fleet of F-16 jets.”[23]

July 11, 2017: U.S. and Qatar sign counterterrorism agreement

On July 11, 2017, the United States and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding to combat and share information about the financing of terrorism. Qatar was the first nation to take steps to fight terrorism as President Donald Trump requested during his May 2017 speech in Riyadh.[24]

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was in Qatar to help negotiate an end to the dispute between a group of Arab states in the Persian Gulf and Qatar, praised Qatar for being the first nation to take Trump's challenge to stop the funding of terrorism. Tillerson said,

“ The agreement in which we both have signed on behalf of our governments represents weeks of intensive discussions between experts and reinvigorates the spirit of the Riyadh summit. The memorandum lays out a series of steps the two countries will take over the coming months and years to interrupt and disable terror financing flows and intensify counterterrorism activities globally. The agreement includes milestones to ensure both countries are accountable to their commitments. Together, the United States and Qatar will do more to track down funding sources, will do more to collaborate and share information, and will do more to keep the region and our homeland safe. I applaud the leadership of His Highness The Emir of Qatar for being the first to respond to President Trump’s challenge at the Riyadh summit to stop the funding of terrorism.[25] ”
—Secretary of State Rex Tillerson[24]

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed noted that the agreement was "a separate bilateral agreement between Qatar and the United States which has been underway and in discussion for weeks now, and it has nothing related directly to or indirectly to the recent crisis and the blockade which is imposed against Qatar."[24]

Tillerson was scheduled to travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 12, 2017, to meet with senior officials about the ongoing dispute.[26]

June 14, 2017: U.S. and Qatar sign preliminary agreement for sale of F-15 fighter jets

On June 14, 2017, the U.S. and Qatar signed a $12 billion preliminary agreement for the sale of F-15 fighter jets. “This agreement underscores the longstanding commitment of the State of Qatar in jointly working with our friends and allies in the United States in advancing our military cooperation,” Qatar’s Defense Ministry said in a statement after striking the deal.[27]

June 5, 2017: Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE cut ties with Qatar

Map of the Arab nations bordering the Persian Gulf. With the exception of Iraq, these nations make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain announced that they cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing what they said was Qatar’s support for extremist groups—including Hamas, al-Qaeda, and the Muslim Brotherhood—and its relations with Iran, a country that the Department of State has designated as a sponsor of terrorism since 1984. The four countries also cut off sea and air traffic, and Saudi Arabia shut down its land border with Qatar. Later in the day, Yemen, the Maldives, and Libya's eastern-based government also cut ties. Qatar denied allegations that it was funding terrorism.[28][29]

On June 6, 2017, Trump commented on the dispute in a series of tweets, writing, “During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look! So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding …. extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!" Trump was referring to his May 21, 2017, speech to 55 leaders of Muslim-majority nations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in which he called on leaders to end extremism and isolate nations that sponsor terrorism.[28]

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis also commented on the dispute. Tillerson encouraged the nations to resolve their issues and added that the dispute would not affect the fight against the Islamic State. Tillerson said, "We certainly would encourage the parties to sit down together and address these differences, and we – if there’s any role that we can play in terms of helping them address those, we think it is important that the GCC remain unified. I do not expect that this will have any significant impact, if any impact at all, on the unified – the unified fight against terrorism in the region or globally. All of those parties you mentioned have been quite, quite unified in the fight against terrorism and the fight against Daesh and ISIS, and have expressed that most recently in the summit in Riyadh."[30]

Mattis said,

“ I am positive there will be no implications coming out of this dramatic situation at all, and I say that based on the commitment that each of these nations that you just referred to have made to this fight. ... I believe Iran’s actions speak louder than anyone’s words, and they are going to incite the international community in that region to try to block them in the various destabilizing efforts that they are undertaking right now, from Syria, where [President Bashar] Assad remains in power today because of Iran’s actions, to Yemen, where they have been contributing in an unhelpful way to a war that is marooning millions of people and leaving them vulnerable to starvation and health problems and violence. So I think it’s Iran’s actions that will speak most loudly, and the diplomatic situation, it will probably take some time — I don’t know how long — but it will be resolved.[25] ”

Qatar ambassador responds to Trump's tweets

During an interview with The Daily Beast on June 6, 2017, Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the U.S., commented on Trump's tweets, saying, “It’s unfortunate to see these tweets. We have close coordination with the United States. They know our efforts to combat financial terrorism and terrorism.”[31]

He also said, “We were surprised. No one approached us directly and said, ‘Look, we have problems with this and this and this.'" He said that the tweets were confusing because Trump called Qatar “a crucial strategic partner” during the summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2017. Trump also met with Qatari leader Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the summit. The ambassador said, “We participated in Riyadh. We had a good meeting with the president and with [Saudi] King Salman—nothing was raised."[31]

Trump says Qatar funds terrorism

During a press conference on June 9, 2017, Trump said that Qatar was funding terrorism and called on the nation to stop doing so. He said, “The nation of Qatar has unfortunately been a funder of terrorism, and at a very high level. I've decided, along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, our great generals, and military people, the time has come to call on Qatar to end its funding. They have to end that funding and its extremist ideology in terms of funding.”[32]

Earlier in the day, Tillerson asked GCC members and Qatar to refrain from escalating the conflict. He called on the emir of Qatar to stop supporting terrorists, saying, "The emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorist elements from his country, but he must do more and he must do it more quickly."[33]

Tillerson also said that other countries had to do more to eliminate terrorism and to end the blockade against Qatar. He said, "Others must also continue to eliminate factions of support for violent organizations within their own borders. Again, that was a commitment made by all at the summit. We call on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt to ease the blockade against Qatar. There are humanitarian consequences to this blockade. We are seeing shortages of food, families are being forcibly separated, and children pulled out of school. We believe these are unintended consequences, especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan, but they can be addressed immediately. The blockade is also impairing U.S. and other international business activities in the region and has created a hardship on the people of Qatar and the people whose livelihoods depend on commerce with Qatar. The blockade is hindering U.S. military actions in the region and the campaign against ISIS."[33]

Tillerson said that the U.S. backed the mediation between the countries led by the emir of Kuwait.[33]

Al Udeid Air Base

On June 6, 2017, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis stated that he was unable to comment on Trump's tweets about Qatar, but he said that the dispute between Qatar and members of the GCC had not impacted operations at Al Udeid Air Base. Davis said, “We hope for a quick resolution and we have no intention of altering our current operations, not only in Qatar but anywhere in the [Gulf Cooperation Council]. That includes important bases we have around the region, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain."[34]

Qatar is one of the U.S. military's allies in the Persian Gulf. Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar—the U.S.' largest base in the Middle East—serves as a site to stage the fight against the Islamic State. Between 8,000 and 10,000 members of the U.S. military were stationed there as of June 2017.[32]

May 21, 2017: Trump delivers speech urging leaders of Muslim nations to join with the U.S. to fight extremism

On May 21, 2017, during a meeting with 55 leaders of Muslim-majority nations inside King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump delivered a speech that focused on promoting peace by building partnerships to end extremism and terrorism. Trump said, "Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God." He reiterated the point, saying, "Above all we must be united in pursuing the one goal that transcends every other consideration. That goal is to meet history’s great test—to conquer extremism and vanquish the forces of terrorism."[35][2]

During his speech, Trump outlined the following steps in the joint effort to end terrorism:

  • Deny sanctuary for terrorists;
  • Prevent the financing of terrorism;
  • Confront "the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires";
  • Stand "together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians";
  • Promote "the aspirations and dreams of all citizens who seek a better life – including women, children, and followers of all faiths"; and
  • Practice "tolerance and respect for each other once again."[2]

Highlights from Trump's speech appear below:

  • Trump on the United States' role in securing peace in the Middle East:
“ America is a sovereign nation and our first priority is always the safety and security of our citizens. We are not here to lecture—we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship. Instead, we are here to offer partnership – based on shared interests and values – to pursue a better future for us all.[25] ”
—President Donald Trump[2]
  • Trump on the untapped potential in the Middle East:
“ The Middle East is rich with natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and massive amounts of historic treasures. It should increasingly become one of the great global centers of commerce and opportunity. This region should not be a place from which refugees flee, but to which newcomers flock. ... The entire region is at the center of the key shipping lanes of the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, and the Straits of Hormuz. The potential of this region has never been greater. 65 percent of its population is under the age of 30. Like all young men and women, they seek great futures to build, great national projects to join, and a place for their families to call home. But this untapped potential, this tremendous cause for optimism, is held at bay by bloodshed and terror.[25] ”
—President Donald Trump[2]
  • Trump on fighting terrorism: a battle between good and evil:
“ Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person, and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith. Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death. If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen. Terrorism’s devastation of life will continue to spread. Peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence. And the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered. If we do not stand in uniform condemnation of this killing—then not only will we be judged by our people, not only will we be judged by history, but we will be judged by God. This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations. This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between Good and Evil.[25] ”
—President Donald Trump[2]
  • Trump on driving terrorists and extremists out of the Middle East:
“ But the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them. The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries, and for their children.

It is a choice between two futures – and it is a choice America CANNOT make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive. Them. Out. DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship. DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities. DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, and DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.[25]

”
—President Donald Trump[2]

On uniting to prevent Iran from creating chaos and instability in the region:

“ Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate Iran, deny it funding for terrorism, and pray for the day when the Iranian people have the just and righteous government they deserve.[25] ”
—President Donald Trump[2]

Trump meets with GCC

Before delivering his speech, Trump had one-on-one meetings with King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He also participated in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) gathering. The GCC is a political and economic alliance consisting of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.[36]

Trump visits Israel and discusses anti-Iran coalition

On May 22, 2017, during a welcoming ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel, Trump encouraged Israel and its Arab neighbors to seek peace, saying, “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability to this region and to its people. We can only get there by working together. There is no other way.”[37][38]

Trump indicated that he saw Israel making peace with the Palestinians as part of an agreement to create an anti-Iran coalition. Trump and Sunni Arab nations in the region wanted to partner with Israel to create a united front against Shiite-led Iran, but Trump and the leaders he spoke to in Saudi Arabia seemed to believe that a resolution between Israel and Palestine had to be part of an agreement.[39]

Trump said, “I was deeply encouraged by my conversations with Muslim world leaders in Saudi Arabia, including King Salman, who I spoke to at great length. King Salman feels very strongly and, I can tell you, would love to see peace with Israel and the Palestinians. … There is a growing realization among your Arab neighbors that they have common cause with you in the threat posed by Iran, and it is indeed a threat, there’s no question about that.”[39]

May 20, 2017: Trump visits Saudi Arabia, signs arms deal

Trump's first stop on his first foreign trip as president was Saudi Arabia. On May 20, 2017, King Salman greeted Trump and first lady Melania Trump on the tarmac when they landed in Riyadh. According to NBC News, "American and Saudi flags lined the highways of the country's capital, Riyadh, along with billboards featuring Trump's face. Trumpets played and jets flew overhead streaming red, white and blue contrails." The greeting was seen as a step toward resetting the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Last year, former President Barack Obama was not greeted with the same fanfare because of the strain the Iran nuclear deal—a deal that Saudi Arabia strongly opposed—put on the relationship.[40]

After arriving, Trump signed a military arms deal with Saudi Arabia worth $350 billion over 10 years, with $110 billion that took effect immediately. The deal was struck in an effort to contain Iran. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, “The package of defense equipment and services supports the long term security of Saudi Arabia and the entire Gulf region in particular in the face of malign Iranian influence and Iranian-related threats, which exists on Saudi Arabia’s borders on all sides."[41]

On May 21, 2017, Israel’s energy minister Yuval Steinitz said that he wanted to know more about the arms deal. He said, “Hundreds of millions of dollars in arms deals is something we need to get an explanation for. We need to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge is maintained.”[38]

Tillerson responded to Steinitz’s concerns, saying that the U.S. would continue its commitment to Israel’s security and that the deal would help forge a relationship between Israel and Arab states in the shared effort of deterring Iran. He said, “That is unifying. I think it does allow countries that have had deep differences to look at the situation and realize that in many respects our threats are common to all of us.”[38]

Trump was the first president to choose Saudi Arabia as a destination on his first foreign trip.

Senate rejects proposal to stop arms deal

On June 13, 2017, the Senate rejected a proposal to block part of the arms deal Trump struck with Saudi Arabia. SJ Res 42—a joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the proposed export of certain defense articles to the government of Saudi Arabia—was rejected by a vote of 47-53, which fell short of the simple majority needed to move forward with the bill. Five Democrats—Sens. Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), and Mark Warner (Va.)—voted with 48 Republicans against moving forward with the measure. Four Republicans—Sens. Dean Heller (Nev.), Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.), and Todd Young (Ind.)—voted with 41 Democrats and two Independents to advance the bill.[42][43]

Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) argued against the proposal, saying, “As we know, some have raised the issue of Saudi conduct of that war [in Yemen], but blocking this arms sale will diminish Saudi capability to target with precision. ... Part of the training provided to Saudi Arabia will be on subjects such as avoiding civilian casualties.” He also noted that Saudi Arabia was helping the U.S. in the fight against ISIS and Iran's increasing influence in the region.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who introduced the measure, said in a tweet, "Saudi Arabia is causing a humanitarian crisis with a war in Yemen. It funds extremism worldwide. Abuses human rights. Stop arming them now."[44]

March 20, 2017: Trump meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi

On March 20, 2017, Trump met with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the White House. The leaders discussed eradicating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Trump said, "Our main thrust is we have to get rid of ISIS. We're going to get rid of ISIS."[45]

Speaking about the fight against ISIS, al-Abadi said, "We have been given assurances that the (U.S.) support will not only continue but will accelerate for Iraq to accomplish the task."[46]

Trump administration officials on Arab states of the Persian Gulf

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

In 2018, Pompeo said that the U.S. would continue to work with Saudi Arabia to defend its borders and that Iran’s involvement in the region through the Houthi rebels in Yemen was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.[47]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Urges Muslims to Fight Extremism in Saudi Speech," May 21, 2017
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Facebook, "Donald Trump," May 21, 2017
  3. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.J.Res.54 - A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." accessed December 13, 2018
  4. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 54, As Amended), December 13, 2018
  5. ↑ Politico, "Senate defies Trump, rebuking Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi killing," December 13, 2018
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 The Hill, "Senate votes to end US support for Saudi war, bucking Trump," December 13, 2018
  7. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Yemen Foes Agree on Cease-Fire Amid U.S. Pressure," December 13, 2018
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 State.gov, "Remarks to the Press," October 23, 2018
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Hill, "US to revoke visas for Saudi officials over Khashoggi killing," October 23, 2018
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Takes Diplomatic Action Against Saudis Believed Tied to Journalist’s Killing," October 23, 2018
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Treasury.gov, "Treasury Sanctions 17 Individuals for Their Roles in the Killing of Jamal Khashoggi," November 15, 2018
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Hill', "CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Khashoggi murder: report," November 16, 2018
  13. ↑ WhiteHouse.gov, "Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia," November 20, 2018
  14. ↑ The Hill, "Trump on Khashoggi killing: Saudi crown prince 'hates it more than I do.'" November 22, 2018
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 The Wall Street Journal, "Republicans Call on Trump to Consider Action Against Saudi Arabia," November 25, 2018
  16. ↑ The Hill, "State Department clears $1.3B artillery sale to Saudi Arabia," April 5, 2018
  17. ↑ The Hill, “Perry cites competition from Russia, China to defend nuclear talks with Saudis,” March 22, 2018
  18. ↑ The Hill, “State Department announces $1B in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia,” March 22, 2018
  19. ↑ The Hill, “Mattis: Saudi Arabia ‘part of the solution’ in Yemen civil war,” March 22, 2018
  20. ↑ The Hill, "Senate sides with Trump on providing Saudi military support," March 20, 2018
  21. ↑ White House.gov, “Readout of Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia,” March 21, 2018
  22. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, “Trump Greets Visiting Saudi Prince with a Crowded Agenda,” March 20, 2018
  23. ↑ Reuters, "State Department approves $3.8 billion in arms sales to Bahrain: Pentagon," September 8, 2017
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 State.gov, "Press Availability With Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani," July 11, 2017
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  26. ↑ State.gov, "Travel to Hamburg, Kyiv, Istanbul, Kuwait City, Doha and Jeddah, July 5-12, 2017," accessed July 11, 2017
  27. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "U.S., Qatar Move Toward Arms Deal Estimated at $12 Billion," June 14, 2017
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 The Hill, "Trump takes credit for Qatar split," June 6, 2017
  29. ↑ State.gov, "State Sponsors of Terrorism," accessed July 17, 2017
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 State.gov, "Press Availability With Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, And Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne," June 5, 2017
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 The Daily Beast, "Qatar Ambassador to Trump: What’s With the Hate Tweets?" June 6, 2017
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 The Hill, “Trump blasts Qatar hours after Tillerson urges end to blockade,” June 9, 2017
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 State.gov, "Remarks on the Middle East," June 9, 2017
  34. ↑ The Hill, "Pentagon can’t square Trump comments on Qatar," June 6, 2017
  35. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Urges Muslims to Fight Extremism in Saudi Speech," May 21, 2017
  36. ↑ NBC News, "Trump Trip: President Meets With Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait," May 21, 2017
  37. ↑ The Hill, "Trump lands in Israel," May 22, 2017
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Arrives in Israel in Bid to Revive Peace Process," May 22, 2017
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 The New York Times, "Trump Comes to Israel Citing a Palestinian Deal as Crucial," May 22, 2017
  40. ↑ NBC News, "Donald Trump Lands in Saudi Arabia on First Overseas Visit of Presidency," May 20, 2017
  41. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia Sign Agreements in Move to Counterbalance Iran," May 20, 2017
  42. ↑ Congress.gov, "S.J.Res.42," June 13, 2017
  43. ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Motion to Discharge (Motion to Discharge S. J. Res. 42)," June 13, 2017
  44. ↑ The Hill, "Senate rejects effort to block Saudi arms sale," June 13, 2017
  45. ↑ WhiteHouse.gov, "Remarks by President Trump in a Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister al-Abadi of Iraq," March 20, 2017
  46. ↑ Reuters, "Iraq's PM, on U.S. visit, says wins assurances from Trump administration," March 20, 2017
  47. ↑ State.gov, "Remarks With Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir," April 29, 2018
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