Trump’s paradigm-shifting speech in Riyadh

During his four-day Middle East trip this month, President Donald Trump delivered a highly significant speech on May 13 at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh. Advocates hailed the speech as a defining moment, noting its departure from the policies of Presidents Obama and Bush. Trump advanced a non-interventionist approach, celebrated regional Arab sovereignty, and rejected Western-imposed governance models.

The controversial speech deserves attention for its key messages.

Trump said that “the gleaming marvels of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were not created by the so-called ‘nation-builders,’ ‘neocons,’ or ‘liberal nonprofits.’” He attributed the remarkable progress in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to a “modern miracle the Arabian way,” achieved through economic deals, political advancements, and a pragmatic, interests-driven approach. Rejecting U.S. interventionist policies associated with both conservatives and liberals, which he criticized for wasting trillions on failed nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Trump praised Saudi Arabia and the UAE as exemplary models of economic achievement and political progress driven by indigenous leadership. Trump’s rhetoric marked a stark departure from numerous Western post-Cold War U.S. foreign policy leaders that emphasized promoting democracy and human rights abroad. Instead, Trump is envisioning a Middle East defined by “commerce, not chaos; technology, not terrorism.”

Trump highlighted his non-interventionist stance by announcing the lifting of all U.S. sanctions on Syria, in place since the 1970s, to offer the country “a chance at greatness” akin to its Gulf neighbors. He is willing—at least for now—to ignore the history of its new leader, who was a designated terrorist just a few months ago, for the sake of a new start. Regarding Iran, he extended an olive branch, expressing willingness to negotiate new agreements provided Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions, signaling a commitment to regional peace. As for Israel, a key U.S. ally, Trump voiced strong support for expanding the Abraham Accords to include more Arab Muslim nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and Syria, to normalize relations with the Jewish state. Trump’s deal-oriented diplomacy clearly prioritized peace and economic agreements over ideological conflicts and protracted wars.

The speech resonated deeply with Arab Muslim leaders who prefer cooperation with the United States based on mutual interests, not constant lectures on governance. It reflected Trump’s America-First philosophy and his skepticism of U.S. overreach in foreign affairs. While this approach is commendable for avoiding endless wars and ongoing regime-change efforts, it overlooks the United States’ significant role in advocating for the vulnerable and protecting the underprivileged.

Trump’s claim that the prosperity of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi derives solely from regional leadership is only partially correct. Decades ago, these Arab Muslim nations were predominantly nomadic, with limited modernization until oil discoveries drew Western companies. Their investments transformed local economies and societies. Thus, the “modern miracle the Arabian way” was not solely a regional achievement but a result of significant Western intervention and cooperation, yielding Arabia’s remarkable present. While Trump rightly criticizes the failures of interventionist policies under Bush, Obama, and Biden, which often produced disastrous outcomes, the U.S. global presence has also promoted democracy, human rights, and stability—significant positive contributions.

Beyond military action, U.S. intervention encompasses soft power and institutional support, fostering global stability and human welfare. The United States has led humanitarian efforts to address crises, save lives, and advance human rights, leveraging its unmatched military and economic power for humanitarian good. A prime example is the pivotal role the United States played in championing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Problematically, Trump’s enthusiastic praise of Arab Muslim monarchies risks appearing to endorse authoritarian regimes that often marginalize human rights, women’s rights, and minority protections. If misinterpreted or misused by tyrannical Arab leaders, this rhetoric could have unintended long-term consequences, potentially emboldening tyranny. Trump’s speech may be seen as overlooking the well-documented poor human rights record in Arab Muslim nations, including the mistreatment of women and minorities and the outright prohibition of religious freedom in these modern “miracle” Arabian lands.

The United States should avoid disastrous wars that drain resources in pursuit of imposing Western-style governance in non-Western contexts. Prioritizing American interests over idealistic goals is prudent, but unqualified praise for tyrants could imply that accountability is unnecessary. While Trump’s speech rightly rejects flawed interventionist policies, a balanced approach would acknowledge both the pitfalls of overreach and the value of U.S. influence in advancing honorable causes worldwide.

Despite their flaws and controversies, U.S. interventions have often delivered measurable benefits, including the protection of human rights and alleviation of suffering. Historically, U.S. interventions have produced good, bad, and ugly outcomes. The U.S. should embrace the good while holding Arabian leaders accountable for tyrannical actions, rather than excusing them for the sake of favorable deals.