TRUMP TO RESET POLICY
President Trump is preparing to reset his policy toward the Middle East today when he delivers a highly anticipated speech to leaders in Saudi Arabia that is expected to include a call for unity in the fight against radicalism.
The speech, according to a draft, won’t feature the intense “radical Islamic” rhetoric Trump repeatedly used on his way to winning the White House and could set the tone for his five-country tour that kicked off yesterday with a lavish welcome in the Saudi Arabian capital.
As he stepped off the plane in Riyadh, Trump was warmly welcomed by King Salman, a notable move given the monarch was a no-show for then-President Barack Obama’s arrival during the former commander in chief’s final visit to the Arab kingdom.
The address to more than 50 leaders will be watched closely, especially as controversy continues to dog the Republican back home in the wake of his decision to abruptly fire FBI Director James B. Comey, who was leading an investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Trump planned to cast the fight against terrorism as a “battle between good and evil,” according to a draft of the speech obtained by The Associated Press. He was also expected to appeal to Arab leaders to “drive out the terrorists from your places of worship” — and without using the words “radical Islamic terror,” a phrase he repeatedly knocked Hillary Clinton for not using during the campaign.
Differentiating himself from Obama appears to be another driving force for Trump. His aides view the speech as a counter to Obama’s 2009 speech in Egypt to the Muslim world, which Trump had criticized as too apologetic for U.S. actions in the region.
Trump’s welcome visit yesterday was marked by the $110 billion sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia, including tanks, missile defense systems and ships, that could grow up to $350 billion over 10 years.
Gene Chandler, former GOP speaker of the House in New Hampshire, told the Herald he expects Trump will use his overseas trip to showcase his reputation as a deal-maker in an effort to shift media focus back to job creation.
“I think people are getting sick and tired of the press and others jumping on everything he does,” Chandler said. “I think this trip has shown he’s doing better and learning the job, and I’m hoping the result is better business relations with these countries.” Herald wire services contributed to this report.