There’s more to Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East than multi-billion dollar deals, processions of camels, and a

storm back home

about Qatar’s proposal to provide the president with an opportunity

a fresh Air Force One

.

A trip hastily presented by the White House as an opportunity for Trump to demonstrate his prowess as a shrewd negotiator has become increasingly chaotic.

the region’s geopolitical jigsaw

puzzle.

Wherever he goes, Trump’s brings disruption that can forge possibilities. And he takes risks – for instance, his decision on this trip to

lift sanctions on Syria

To provide a war-torn country another opportunity.

But the move revives a perennial question about Trump’s entire foreign and trade policy. Can he apply himself sufficiently to reach genuine breakthroughs from openings he creates?

The White House’s preoccupation with glorifying Trump implies that his major policies frequently get overshadowed by excessive praise.

Therefore, an agreement for Qatar to purchase Boeing aircraft with substantial value has been proposed.

dozens of billions of dollars

received more focus back home on Wednesday compared to his discussions in Riyadh with Syrian official Ahmed al-Sharaa. The landmark first meeting between American and Syrian leadership figures in 25 years might stand out as the key accomplishment of Trump’s visit.

Before he overthrew the murderous dictator Bashar al-Assad, al-Sharaa was

a rebel leader

who

pledged allegiance

to al Qaeda and had a $10 million US bounty on his head. Yet Trump sat with him and lifted US sanctions on his civil war-wracked country, hoping to give it a chance to unify and rescue civilians facing severe hunger.

Trump’s regional diplomatic ambitions are expanding

Trump’s geopolitical shake-up doesn’t end in Syria. He’s used the trip to build new

pressure on Iran

To accept limitations on its nuclear activities—threatening military measures if it declines but evidently aiming to prevent the grim possibility of another conflict in the Middle East.

His journey has also underscored increasing friction between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – someone previously considered an ideological ally but now often becoming a source of frustration for the former U.S. president.

In private, Trump’s group has been discussing with Qatar and Saudi Arabia officials ways to ease the humanitarian emergency in Gaza triggered by Israel’s blockade and attacks that have resulted in numerous deaths.

tens of thousands of non-combatants

. Netanyahu’s response has been to declare he has “no choice” but to keep fighting, and he targeted the Hamas leader who’d be needed for any peace talks, in a

strike on a hospital

.

There isn’t any indication that the U.S.-Israel alliance is in jeopardy. However, differences between Trump and Netanyahu have emerged as well.

U.S. agreement to stop missile strikes by Houthi insurgents

in Yemen that did not include Israel; Trump’s bypassing of the Israelis in a deal this week to

free the last living American hostage in Gaza

; and on the Syria sanctions decision.

Trump was not solely focused on the Middle East in recent days. He’d also

hoped to fly to Turkey

for a startling photo-op with Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine that would have validated his thus far unsuccessful attempt to end their war. Neither rival leader is likely to show up to Thursday’s talks, prompting Trump to abandon his plans for an unexpected side trip and casting further doubt on his peace initiative.

Trump’s big Syria gamble

Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria represents one of the biggest foreign policy gambles so far in his second term.

Details of the intricate diplomacy that must have led up to this decision have not yet been revealed. But the move reflects an understanding that Syria, devastated by years of civil war, is at a turning point, occupies a vital place on the map of the region and has the potential to tip into greater chaos if it deteriorates further.

The president told reporters that he believed that al-Sharaa has “got a real shot at holding it together.” Officials said later that Trump wants Syria to eventually recognize Israel. This would represent an extraordinary transformation in a region wracked by hate.

Firas Maksad, director of outreach at the Middle East Institute, told Big One News’s Becky Anderson that the Syria move was a significant win for Trump on a trip dominated by economic concerns. “I think Trump has been very careful and very, I would say, keen on unlocking geopolitical successes, too,” Maksad said. “Whatever happens in Syria doesn’t stay in Syria.”

The president’s move mirrors a willingness of some European and Middle Eastern leaders to shelve distaste for al-Sharaa’s past activity in the hope he can stop a return to civil war.

Oddly enough, a policy decision made by President Trump is garnering approval from several long-time detractors. “I believe it’s a wise choice,” stated Leon Panetta, who previously served as both the Director of the CIA and Secretary of Defense, during an interview with Big One NewsCentral on Wednesday. “In my opinion, Trump is correct since this person managed to spearhead that uprising, successfully overthrow Assad, and seems to be making efforts towards stabilizing the challenging situation in Syria.”

Trump’s decision to lift sanctions came at the urging of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which both want to avoid unrest in Syria spreading. There is also a desire in Riyadh, Washington and Doha to prevent a return of outside powers to Syria, which has endured decades of foreign interference from states including Iran, Russia, Turkey and Israel.

However, Trump is venturing into a risky move.

Although al-Sharaa is regarded internationally as Syria’s greatest prospect for stability, worries are escalating that his administration isn’t safeguarding religious and ethnic minority groups. At the same time, high-ranking officials in Congress demand confirmation that he is eliminating ISIS factions prior to considering lifting the sanctions mandated by legislation, which the president alone can’t override.

To capitalize on this opportunity, it is crucial for the President’s decision to be rapidly put into action and for the Syrian government to promptly tackle U.S. national security issues,” stated Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen, who serve as the Republican chairperson and lead Democratic member respectively on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Such steps will aid Syria in continuing down a pathway towards liberation from the detrimental influences of Iran and Russia, counteract China’s efforts to establish an economic presence in the region, and prevent the revival of ISIS.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who supports President Trump, expressed some reservations. “While I lean towards supporting the easing of sanctions on Syria,” he stated during his time in Turkey, “we should keep in mind that Syria’s present government came into power through military might rather than popular consent.”

Graham highlighted that Israel was particularly worried about lifting sanctions on Syria and contended that the U.S. should collaborate with partners to synchronize this fresh approach. “The recently established Syrian administration might prove to be a wise investment and could serve as the key to reunifying Syria, turning it into a stabilizing force within the area,” Graham stated. “Nonetheless, significant information still needs to be gathered before reaching such conclusions.” He added, “A secure Syria would dramatically reshape the dynamics of the region; however, considering its history, any advancements will require thorough scrutiny.”

‘Good luck, Syria’

If Trump aims to guide Syria towards stability, he must leverage the influence of the United States to bring together allied countries. Such collaboration with partners isn’t typically characteristic of his administration. Additionally, this poses another hurdle for an overextended State Department grappling with disorganized appointments and the relative newcomer status of several crucial figures—such as Trump’s multifaceted emissary Steve Witkoff.

Trump already seemed to be laying the groundwork for the laying of blame, should his decision backfire, noting several times that part of his reason for lifting sanctions was because of the advocacy of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” Trump said.

Several of Trump’s recent successes do not indicate that he is prepared for the challenging task of diplomacy. He asserted that he secured substantial trade pacts with the UK and China. However, these would more accurately be termed declarations of intention to establish such accords. Should Wednesday’s sanction action mirror this approach, his efforts towards diplomatic resolutions regarding Syria may fail to achieve their objectives.

There’s another reason for anxiety. Al-Sharaa seems to have activated Trump’s weakness for strongmen. He described the former terrorist as a “great young attractive guy” and a “fighter.” Jarringly, given the Syrian leader’s al Qaeda associations, the president commented that he had “a very strong past.”

History is full of examples in which Washington put its trust in Middle East tough-guy leaders to keep countries torn by religious and tribal divides in one piece. In Iraq, such a bet ended up costing thousands of US lives.

But Trump is more optimistic.

“It’s their time to shine,” he said. “Good luck, Syria. Show something very special.”

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