During Donald Trump’s speech on Islam to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh on Sunday, the president of the United States signalled a new approach to America’s regional alliances. Mr Trump articulated a perspective familiar to many in this part of the world. Namely, that all avenues in the global fight against extremism lead to Iran.
“From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region,” Mr Trump said in front of Arab and Muslim leaders. “Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it.”
Absent from Mr Trump’s far-reaching remarks on the challenges facing the region was an insistence on importing American values to solve these problems. In the post-Cold War period, the United States has sought to export its form of governance to all corners of the world, often with disastrous results. The war in Iraq, which is now understood to be the source of many of the problems we grapple with, was one attempt to export an American form of democracy. Likewise, Barack Obama’s insistence on the power of American values and the need for countries around the world to adopt similar values created uncomfortable power dynamics between Washington and its traditional allies.
Mr Trump didn’t come to Saudi Arabia to lecture, as his predecessors once did. Instead he came as a friend and partner in the project of returning stability to the region and eradicating the terror threat once and for all.
Given the gravity of the challenges facing the international community, this form of leadership is exactly what is needed. This region doesn’t need to be lectured about American values. Rather, we need a strong partner who understands our perspective and our values, and will work with us to advance development and overcome extremism.
As Mr Trump noted at the start of his speech, “this historic and unprecedented gathering of leaders – unique in the history of nations – is a symbol to the world of our shared resolve and our mutual respect”. We look forward to this new era of cooperation and the advancement of our shared goal of security and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond.
