Former Biden officials offer rare praise for Trump's bold Middle East moves
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It could be disturbing. Or hopeful. I don't know.
In a dramatic policy shift, Trump announced on Tuesday he would be lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria, before meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday, becoming the first U.S. president to meet with a Syrian president in 25 years.
He also secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the U.S., and agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion, Reuters reported.
Axios spoke to several top Biden administration officials about Trump’s "audacious" foreign policy moves which have "astounded even some of his harshest critics," according to the outlet.
"Gosh, I wish I could work for an administration that could move that quickly," one official admitted.
"It's hard not to be simultaneously terrified at the thought of the damage he can cause with such power, and awed by his willingness to brazenly shatter so many harmful taboos," Rob Malley, former special envoy to Iran under Biden, also said.
"He does all this, and it's kind of silence, it's met with a shrug," Ned Price, a former State Department spokesperson in the Biden administration, added. "He has the ability to do things politically that previous presidents did not, because he has complete unquestioned authority over the Republican caucus."
Trump’s visit to the Middle East is his first major overseas trip since retaking office. The White House says he hopes to strengthen strategic partnerships in the region for stability and economic prosperity.
Arabs have given Trump tour, HUGE respect & love.
Special fighter jet escorts.
Special dance performances of ladies who wave their giant long hair.
Guard regiments & Trump, visibly proud to be in same room as each other.
Saudi leader hugged himself with joy, during speech where Trump bashed idiot "neocon" wars of intervention. (Must admit I did same - in that part.)
"The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, just saluted America and President Trump—in red, white, and blue"
Israel prob not too happy, but not unhappy enough to criticize in public.