US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Arab states on the sidelines of the UN is important. It shows continued close ties between the US and key Arab countries. It also shows that Trump can navigate the challenges that have arisen since the war with Iran began in February. All these countries have their own policies, and each has been impacted in some way by the conflict. President Trump showcased his personal approach to diplomacy in the meeting on September 22. This is a key part of his doctrine, and he showed how effective he can be when he is in a room with key leaders.
The meeting included leaders from Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Qatar, and Turkey, as well as officials from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, the UAE, and other countries. Trump called the countries friends, allies, and partners. He spoke about the Middle East as a special place and spoke about peace and prosperity.
Trump was in a positive mood and joked with the countries present. He spoke about his close ties with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He spoke of Erdogan as being tough. He called him fantastic. He also joked that the region was full of high energy, but said it sometimes meant “too high energy.” The US president also said there had been a recent meeting between American and Iranian representatives and that it had been productive. This shows that President Trump is seeking to show the countries that he is working toward more calm and peace.
Many of these countries are concerned about the Iran conflict. Iraq, for instance, has seen its fuel exports reduced. Many countries in the Gulf have been attacked, such as Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE. Saudi Arabia is facing threats from the Houthis. It has wanted more US support against them. It was also attacked by militias in Iraq.
Many of these countries have also been very critical of Israel in their UN speeches.
Jordan expresses concern over West Bank violence, Israeli aggression in Syria
Jordan’s King Abdullah II was particularly critical. He has warned about violence in the West Bank. He also expressed concern about Israel’s aggression, including in Syria. He is expressing concern about other states in the region, which believe that Israel is seeking to become more dominant in the region. For instance, a recent Israeli attack on a base in northern Syria was a warning to Turkey. There have been officials in Israel threatening war with Syria.
Israel’s actions in Syria are under a spotlight.
On September 22, the Israel Defense Forces said that “14 Israeli civilians arrived in the Alonei Habashan area and crossed the border into Syria. IDF soldiers were dispatched to the area and operated to locate them and returned the civilians to Israeli territory.” While the IDF condemned the incident, it also called on law enforcement to “bring those involved to justice and to prevent those individuals from repeatedly engaging in this incident, which constitutes a criminal offense.” In general, these types of incidents have not been charged.
Many countries can’t understand why Israeli officials are hostile to the new government in Syria. They are a chance for possible peace because the former Assad regime had been hostile to Israel and hosted Iran. The new government has shared interests with Israel against Iran and Hezbollah. However, Jerusalem has viewed the new government with suspicion and has backed the Druze in southern Syria. Jordan has carried out airstrikes to stop drug smuggling, which it believes is being fueled by networks in Suwayda. As such, Jordan is concerned about instability in southern Syria.
At the same time, Jordan and Saudi Arabia and possibly Syria are threatened by militias in Iraq. The Trump administration wants Iraq’s prime minister to rein in the militias. Trump has worked to cultivate close ties with Syria’s leader Ahmed al-Shara’a. This was brokered by Saudi Arabia in 2025. In addition, Trump has worked to improve ties with Iraq and Lebanon. The US is supporting talks between Israel and Lebanon.
Trump strengthens ties with Gulf countries, pushes for additional arms sales
As such, the Trump administration is deeply involved with many of these countries. It is selling arms to many countries in the Gulf. It is also pushing for a possible F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia, and possibly even Turkey as well. Israel will be concerned about this. Israeli officials now see Turkey as a growing threat. The Trump administration does not appear to agree on this assessment. However, Trump’s close ties with leaders such as Shara’a, Erdogan, the Saudis, Jordanians, and Egyptians can help smooth tensions with Israel.
Trump’s hosting of the meeting with these countries showcased his clout in the region and how he is able to bring these countries together. Syria and Iraq’s leaders met at the meeting. Trump has made it a point during his two terms to quickly reach out and meet Arab leaders. He did this with a trip to Saudi Arabia in 2017 and 2025. He also hosted the king of Jordan early in his term in 2017. All of this matters because Trump’s doctrine uses personal diplomacy to achieve goals. He has also appointed Ambassador Tom Barrack, who is Ambassador to Turkey, to handle US policy on Syria and Iraq as an envoy to both. Barrack praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for meeting Iraq’s Zaidi, and Barrack also met with Erdogan.
Barrack wrote on September 22, “Pleased to join President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan, host and Turkish legend Hamdi Ulukaya with his elegant wife, Louise, and the US Chamber of Commerce in New York City last night to celebrate 100 years of enduring partnership between the United States and Türkiye. For a century, our nations have stood together–strengthening NATO, advancing regional security, expanding trade, and creating opportunity for millions. From the battlefield to the boardroom, we have achieved so much over a century of friendship–with an even brighter future ahead.”