President Donald Trump landed in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, the first stop on his Middle East itinerary, which will also include visits to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Israel is not on the agenda.
Royal Saudi Air Force fighter jets escorted Air Force One as it entered Saudi airspace. A grand welcoming ceremony was held upon the president's arrival at Riyadh's international airport. He was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely seen as the face of the kingdom's future and a key figure wielding much of its governing power.
Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia is considered the most critical leg of his regional trip. His objective is to court the leadership in Riyadh, distance it from Beijing's growing influence, and open up economic opportunities for the US in the Gulf.
Alongside reports of a sweeping Saudi investment initiative in the US, some estimates place the value near $1 trillion, Reuters reported that Trump intends to propose a massive arms deal worth as much as $100 billion to the Saudis.
