U.S. & Saudis Sign $142B Arms Deal as Trump Meets with Syria's New Leader & Drops Syrian Sanctions

[Uncle Joe]

We look at President Donald Trump's diplomatic visit to the Middle East and discuss his administration's foreign policy in the region with Akbar Shahid Ahmed, senior diplomatic correspondent for _HuffPost_, and Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of DAWN. As Trump sells U.S. military power in the Gulf in exchange for investments in U.S. businesses, they warn that Trump's transactional business philosophy is spreading to the administration's dealings around the world. As Whitson puts it, "if you can pay, then you can play." This approach extends to the new Syrian government, as Trump pledges to lift sanctions on the country. However, explains Ahmed, while the thawing of relationships between the U.S. and Arab states has the added effect of divergence from tight-knit U.S.-Israel coordination, these changes can be attributed to Trump's "America First" agenda rather than any concern for Palestinians, whom Trump is happy to allow Israel to "pummel."

Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET.

[jls4561]

1. Note how Felon 45's alleged deals are all about selling countries stuff that kills people.

Job creation, my ass.

[Uncle Joe]

2. That dynamic is cannibalizing our society

[Magoo48]

3. One of recent history's most relevant speeches.

Unfortunately, disregarded and unheeded.