Will the Trump Presidency Split The Middle East?
Many questions have been raised since President Donald Trump signed his January 27 executive order banning Muslim citizens from seven countries from entering the United States. The initial outrage to protests and court hearings. The first case involved a pair of Yemeni brothers who were two of the thousands of Muslims whose visas were revoked. More than 60,000 people found themselves in the same predicament. More legal action and complete turmoil has continued as several countries began to rethink relations with the United States. Will Trump’s actions divide the Middle East?
“The Americans don’t get to act in a vacuum, and when they do act they will often trigger responses from other political leaders who have their own political base,” former U.S. ambassador to Syria, Robert S. Ford tells Time. “And I don’t think they thought about that at all with respect to Iraq and iran. My guess is they would say, ‘we don’t care,’”
Many of the Middle Eastern countries not named in the ban are left with a choice: to destroy their relationship with the United States by expressing their discontent or quietly accepting the policy. Amazingly, it seems as if many of the countries are willing to accept it. Only Qatar has been critical of the ban. Even Egypt’s former ambassador to the United States made an obvious jab at the situation.
“Is Egypt supposed to say - to comment on anything happening in the United States?”
Saudi Arabia is another country that has not talked of the ban. When the ban was first enacted, Trump spoke with the Saudi king and no mention was made. Even the United Arab Emirates’ foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan was quoted supporting Trump’s executive order and Time reports that he believes “the executive order is not directed at a certain religion.”
As the world watches to see who sides with whom, several question what this means for Middle Eastern relations. For example, some believe this issue could further split Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi’ite Iran.
The Saudi government has remained optimistic about President Trump’s policies toward the Middle East. While they have not publicly voiced their support, the country is looking forward to the events that this presidency could bring the, such as weakening Iran and an opportunity to strengthen their ties with the United States.
Another conflict that has some raising their eyebrows is the turmoil between Palestine and Israel. In his first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump was adamant about building a stronger partnership with the country. However, Trump has also made it clear that he is open to all avenues that would result in peace within the conflict.
“I’m looking at two state and one state. And I like the one that both parties like. I can live with either one,” Trump stated at the same meeting with Netanyahu.
With so many questionable alliances and an unsure future, it will be interesting to see the impact the Trump presidency will have on the Middle East. Will it be divided?
