Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
  • Analysis
    • Policy Papers
    • Symposia
    • Q&A
    • Polls
    • Grand Strategy Explained
    • Target Taiwan
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Grand strategy / Has Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ paid off in the Middle East?
Grand strategy, Middle East

May 17, 2025

Has Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ paid off in the Middle East?

US President Donald Trump has announced a swathe of new business deals with Middle Eastern nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE on his first major tour of the region since he took office. The US leader touted a sharp break from Washington’s previous stance on the Middle East in an address to regional leaders in Riyadh. Defense Priorities’ policy director Benjamin Friedman says his words are not necessarily aligned with his actions.

Watch at ABC Australia

Featuring

Photo of Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

Op-edIsrael, Iran, Middle East, US‑Israel‑Iran

Israel is the wild card as the U.S. and Iran work to ink a lasting peace deal

By Daniel DePetris

June 23, 2026

Press ReleaseUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

Resurrecting the MOU will take real pressure on Israel

By Benjamin Friedman

June 20, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

Iran says it is closing Strait of Hormuz, testing fragile agreement with U.S.

Featuring Benjamin Friedman

June 20, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Diplomacy, Iran, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

U.S. push to get Iran talks started hits an early bump due to intense fighting in Lebanon

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

June 19, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

Only Iran is happy with Trump’s peace deal

By Daniel DePetris

June 18, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

U.S.-Iran deal looks like a total capitulation

By Daniel DePetris

June 17, 2026

Events on Grand strategy

See All Events
virtualGlobal posture, Grand strategy, Military analysis

Assessing the 2026 NDS: What comes next?

February 9, 2026
virtualEurope and Eurasia, Asia, Grand strategy

Assessing the 2026 NDS: Alignment with restraint?

February 9, 2026
virtualNATO, Alliances, Burden sharing, Europe and Eurasia, Grand strategy

Assessing the 2026 NDS: Will it usher in burden shifting?

February 9, 2026

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Experts
  • Papers
  • Symposia
  • Q&A
  • Polls
  • Events
  • Media
  • Donate
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.