What Saudi leaders expect from Trump’s visit
Saudi officials see an opportunity to gain influence in the Middle East when US President Donald Trump visits their country later this week.
Preparations are underway in Saudi Arabia to welcome US President Donald Trump, who is seeking to mobilize the Islamic world against terrorism, while Saudi officials are hoping to gain some political advantages, especially as they exchange threats with Iran.
The US-Islamic-Arab Summit is scheduled to be held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on May 21 in the presence of Trump. Meanwhile, on May 7, Saudi Crown Prince and Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef welcomed in his Jeddah office US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Thomas Bossert, Trump's counterterrorism adviser, to discuss issues of mutual interest in security and fighting terrorism, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Observers believe the timing of the US security convoy's visit to Saudi Arabia indicates the White House’s firm trust in Nayef and should remind Riyadh that Washington still needs Nayef's efforts to fight terrorism.
The kingdom announced May 1 that the Saudi Ideological Warfare Center, affiliated with the Saudi Ministry of Defense and headed by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will launch initiatives to fight terrorism. On April 23, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud had issued a directive to establish a National Security Center linked to the Saudi Royal Court.
