Overview

• President Trump met with Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first U.S.-Syria presidential meeting in 25 years after announcing the end of sanctions on Syria.
• The U.S. secured $600 billion in Saudi investments and a $142 billion arms deal during Trump's visit, described as the largest U.S.-Saudi defense agreement to date.
• Trump's acceptance of a luxury Boeing 747-8 gift from Qatar, intended to temporarily serve as Air Force One, has raised ethical and security concerns in Washington.
• The president signaled a willingness to negotiate with Iran, emphasizing a foreign policy shift toward pragmatic alliances and dialogue with former adversaries.
• Trump's family business expanded its presence in the Middle East, including new real estate and golf developments in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, intensifying conflict-of-interest debates.