Radio Atlantic Trump and the Crown Prince
44 snips
May 15, 2025 
Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute and expert in Middle East policy, dives into Trump’s warm relations with Gulf leaders like Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. They discuss the implications of Trump's silence on Saudi human rights violations and the unusual Qatar jet gift. Ibish elucidates how this camaraderie could affect U.S. dealings with Israel amid escalating tensions in Gaza, highlighting a potential shift in American foreign policy and regional alliances shaping the future of the Middle East.
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Trump's Familiarity with Gulf Royals
- Trump feels very relaxed and at home with Gulf royals because he relates to their style of authority and patron-client relations.
- This mutual understanding allows him to be his unedited self, which is unusual for him in international settings.
Transactional Nature of Gulf-US Relations
- Gulf states gain US protection and weapons, while Trump gains large-scale weapons sales and personal business deals.
- The relationship blurs Trump's presidential role with personal financial gain through real estate and investments.
Qatar's Jet Gift Symbolism
- Qatar gifted Trump a luxury jet for presidential use blending private and public roles.
- This jet symbolizes the close, transactional relationship and blurring of Trump's private and public interests.