Blue State Blues: Wait and See Before Judging Trump’s Mideast Trip

Eight years ago, President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia and appeared to return empty-handed.

True, he made the first-ever flight directly from Riyadh to Tel Aviv. And he prayed at the Western Wall, becoming the first sitting president to do so, acknowledging Israeli sovereignty over the holiest site in Judaism.

But there were no big peace deals, and he did not announce that he was moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

Seven months later, Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and signed the order to move the U.S. embassy. That kicked off a process that led, ultimately, to the Abraham Accords, and peace between Israel and several Arab states.

The lesson: give Trump time to work out his deals, especially in a region

Continue reading