Paradox 269

Trump’s Middle East Tour: The Untold Strategic Depth Behind the Diplomatic Show

Introduction: More Than Just a Photo Op When former President Donald Trump embarked on his first international trip to the Middle East in May 2017, the White House presented it as a ceremonial visit—a gesture of goodwill to Muslim allies and a symbolic stand against extremism. Yet, beneath the carefully choreographed handshakes and grand speeches, the tour was a meticulously planned geopolitical maneuver that reshaped U.S. strategy in the region.