President Trump’s Middle East trip is prioritizing economic gains and strategic distancing from Israel’s ongoing Gaza war, reflecting a focus on American interests over traditional alliances. His decision to skip Israel centers on three key factors: securing massive Saudi investments, avoiding association with Benjamin Netanyahu’s prolonged military campaign, and decoupling policy carrots like civilian nuclear technology from normalization demands.
Trump aims to secure for the U.S. economy, far surpassing typical oil revenue thresholds. This aligns with his “America First” agenda, prioritizing job creation and corporate profits over nation-building or conflict mediation. The trip emphasizes energy partnerships and infrastructure projects, sidelining thorny geopolitical issues like Iran’s nuclear program or Palestinian statehood.
Netanyahu’s refusal to end military operations against Hamas clashes with Trump’s desire for “winning weeks” and clean photo-ops. With Israel bogged down in urban combat and global criticism mounting, Trump avoids the risk of being tied to perceived quagmire or humanitarian backlash. This mirrors his transactional approach: why share a stage with allies embroiled in messy wars when Gulf petrostates offer gleaming skyscrapers and investment pledges?
The administration is reportedly offering Saudi Arabia —a break from past linkage. This pragmatic pivot acknowledges Arab states’ growing independence from Western pressure and Israel’s diminishing regional leverage post-October 7th. By treating Israel as just another partner rather than a sacred ally, Trump pressures Netanyahu to align with U.S. priorities or risk isolation.
While some conservatives warn against cooling ties, Trump’s team calculates that demonstrating independence from Israel strengthens his hand in future negotiations. The message is clear: alliances are conditional, and America’s prosperity trumps sentimental attachments.
