SHOSHANA BRYEN: Trump’s Riyadh Speech Was An Invitation, Not An Intervention
President Donald Trump’s speech in Riyadh was a drone strike on Western supremacism, “democracy-promotion,” and the “Arab Spring.” Like his 2020 “Vision for Peace,” which became the Abraham Accords, it was an invitation…
President Donald Trump’s speech in Riyadh was a drone strike on Western supremacism, “democracy-promotion,” and the “Arab Spring.” Like his 2020 “Vision for Peace,” which became the Abraham Accords, it was an invitation not an intervention.
He spoke in chapters, each covering an area of his – and hosts’ – interests.
Chapter 1: “Good News from a Place Called America,” touting his security, trade and economic accomplishments.
Chapter 2: “Saudi Arabia: The Promised Land,” which he said without irony. Saudi social and economic movement into the framework of the 21st century was rightly lauded.
Chapter 4: “A land of peace, safety, harmony, opportunity, innovation and achievement, right here in the Middle East.” It began with the demise of ISIS and the constriction of Iran during Trump’s first term and included the Abraham Accords. Then a dump on the Biden administration – well deserved. Then back to the accomplishments of the Gulf States.
Chapter 5: “An offer to Iran.” Time-limited.
Chapter 6: “Making Peace is Better than Making War.”
Chapter 7: “But we will use our magnificent military when we have to.” Ask the Houthis.
Chapter 8: “October 7, 2023.”
Chapter 9: “Syria, Join the Party.”
Wait! What happened to Chapter 3?
That is, in fact, the crucial chapter and the one least remarked upon. It was a repudiation of colonialism – economic, social, governmental. It was a denunciation of European and American arrogance and a paean to Middle Eastern/Gulf State particularism.