U.S. & Saudis Sign $142B Arms Deal as Trump Meets with Syria’s New Leader & Drops Syrian Sanctions
democracynow.org/2025/5/14/trump_middle_east_saudi_syria_israel
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Trump Advances Middle East Deals and Syria EngagementTrump meets Syria’s new leader and secures a $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia amid shifting U.S. Gulf policies.
Key FactsMay 18 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: democracynow.org
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: democracynow.org
- The U.S. is lifting sanctions on Syria and exploring normalized relations with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, signaling a policy shift.
- A $142 billion arms agreement with Saudi Arabia represents Washington’s largest defense cooperation to date.
- Trump’s administration emphasizes transactional diplomacy, encouraging Gulf states to invest heavily in U.S. businesses in exchange for military support.
- Steve Witkoff, Trump’s personal envoy, influences regional diplomacy with unconventional approaches that decrease Israel’s traditional role and spark political debate.
In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that will, hopefully, succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace.— President Donald Trump discusses the potential of the new Syrian government to bring stability and peace.
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| Last Updated | May 18 |
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