As Riyadh and Washington renew their vows, a ‘happily ever after’ Middle East might be on the horizon

As predicted in this column previously, the recently concluded visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington not only reset the tone of the Saudi-US relationship, but also redefined it. Exactly 80 years after the historic meeting between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz aboard the USS Quincy, the two nations have once again charted a bold new course for the future.

What unfolded in the US capital was more than just a diplomatic spectacle, though the F-35 flyover greeting the crown prince certainly made for a powerful image. It was the formal launch of a new era, one built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a clear-eyed understanding of the region’s evolving dynamics.

At the heart of this transformation lies a realization — one that came early to President Donald Trump and somewhat belatedly to his predecessor Joe Biden — that with Saudi Arabia’s help, the Middle East may no longer be a region defined solely by conflict but, instead, one of opportunity, innovation, and ambition. And the engine driving this change is none other than the man Trump described repeatedly as “a great friend” and “the future king of Saudi Arabia.”

So, what changed? Much like the adage that “when America sneezes, the world catches a cold,” Washington has come to understand that “when Saudi Arabia leads, the Arab and Muslim worlds follow.” Vision 2030, by design, is an outward-facing program. It depends on global partnerships, particularly with the US, to deliver the goods, services, and knowledge transfer needed to secure borders, extract critical minerals, and build the cities of the future.

That is why scant attention was given to the cynics who claim that $1 trillion of investment pledged during the Washington visit was effectively Saudi Arabia buying its way into US decision-making. Of course, that amount — whether it materializes fully, partially, or even if transactions exceed it — is in no way a gift to the Trump administration. Instead it is intended to buy F-35s, tanks, the latest technology in artificial intelligence, and US expertise in nuclear energy, mining and other industries — provided, of course, that the US approves the sales, and delivers on its part.

On the American side, we have a president with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Trump, the entrepreneur and dealmaker, recognizes this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Saudi Arabia, and does not want American companies and industry to miss the chance, as it has done in the past. He realizes that if the US does not move, Riyadh will have to procure its needs from other suppliers.

What unfolded in the US capital was more than just a diplomatic spectacle. It was the formal launch of a new era.

Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief

But Vision 2030 is not only about Saudi Arabia, and its implications are more than just economical. For foreign direct investment, as well as tourists, to head to the Kingdom for Expo 2030 or the 2034 World Cup, the region must be safe, stable, and prosperous. That prosperity will inevitably spill over to neighbors, creating a ripple effect of development and peace.

For his part, Trump is clearly seeking a legacy as a peacemaker. Having built trust and mutual respect with the Saudi leadership during his first term, he now recognizes that Riyadh’s intentions are sincere — and that the Kingdom can deliver win-win outcomes.

This was evident in Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine, its lobbying for the lifting of sanctions on Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime, and its push to end the suffering in Sudan. These initiatives are not just in Riyadh's interest, but in Washington’s as well. And the Kingdom stands ready to support any effort that brings the region closer to peace and prosperity.

In that context, it was striking to hear Trump, sitting beside the crown prince in the White House, express his willingness to engage with Iran. He also revealed plans to meet Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and extended an invitation to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun shortly after the visit. These are not just diplomatic gestures; they are signals of a broader strategy to stabilize the region through dialogue and inclusion.

And what of Israel? Once again, the crown prince made it clear: Saudi Arabia has no objection to joining the Abraham Accords — provided Israel does its part by recognizing a Palestinian state and correcting a historic injustice. This is not a new position, but it is one gaining renewed urgency in light of recent events and the hard-line stance of the current Israeli government.

Is this all theoretical? Perhaps. But there is only one way to find out. Let us hypothetically assume that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to commit to an irreversible five-year roadmap toward a viable Palestinian state, with President Trump as guarantor. What would be the global reaction to that? I cannot see anything but a resounding welcome for the initiative. But would he take that risk, given the extremist coalition he leads? I doubt it. Yet he must understand that continued provocation of Palestinians and his Arab neighbors can only hinder the region’s chance at a “happily ever after.”

Is this a utopia? Maybe. But Netanyahu now faces a choice: Does he want Israeli citizens and future generations to live in peace and be fully integrated into the region — or remain trapped in a cycle of perpetual conflict? The choice, ultimately, is his.

• Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas