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Peace in the Middle East is a Pipe Dream

“NEVER FORGET wasn’t a bumper sticker or a fad, it was a promise I intend to keep even if our president does not.” — DML

Trump’s Middle East Gambit – A Dangerous Misstep

I start off by stating that I think most people who read the DML REPORT know who I am and what I stand for as an American. You know I say what I mean and I mean what I say. And you know that although I voted for President Trump three times, proudly, it does not mean I will overlook his missteps. On the flip side, there are some readers — albeit a few — who probably want a daily sugar-filled newsletter that reads one-way only. Here is a warning: Today ain’t a sugar fix.

THE DETAILS…
President Trump’s recent Middle East tour, kicked off with a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, has me uneasy. In a speech delivered in Riyadh on May 13, Trump laid out a vision for the region that he claims will foster peace, prosperity, and a new era of cooperation. He signed economic agreements, announced a shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, and praised Middle Eastern leaders for their supposed commitment to progress. Below are the key highlights of his speech and announcements, followed by my unfiltered take on why this approach has me concerned.

Highlights of Trump’s Speech and Announcements:

• Saudi Arabia Economic Partnership: Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a “strategic economic partnership” totaling $600 billion in trade deals. These agreements, which include defense contracts and cultural initiatives like a cooperation agreement with the Smithsonian Institution, are projected to create up to 2 million U.S. jobs. Trump also noted an additional $1.4 trillion in investments from the United Arab Emirates, aimed at boosting American technology and job growth.

• Lifting Sanctions on Syria: Trump announced the removal of sanctions on Syria, signaling an intent to normalize relations with the war-torn nation. This move is framed as a step toward regional stability, though details on implementation remain vague.

• Condemnation of Interventionalist Policies: Trump criticized Western “interventionalist” policies, blaming neoconservatives and nation-builders for destabilizing the Middle East. He argued that the “gleaming marvels” of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were built without Western lectures, positioning his approach as one of restraint and respect for regional sovereignty.

• Vision for a Hopeful Middle East: Trump pitched a future where the Middle East is defined by “commerce, not chaos” and “exports technology, not terrorism.” He urged regional leaders to unite around shared interests, predicting that such collaboration could amaze the world and transcend ancient conflicts.

• Praise for Saudi Leadership: Trump lauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his efforts to promote peace, framing Saudi Arabia as a key partner in transforming the region. He emphasized a continued strong partnership between Washington and Riyadh.

A Dangerous Deal
The book on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman doesn’t read like Trump is portraying him. But putting that aside, I hate this deal. I hate everything it represents. President Trump, a man I’ve long admired for his America-first stance, is playing nice with nations that have repeatedly shown they cannot be trusted. Why is he cozying up to Saudi Arabia, Syria, and other Middle Eastern powers whose values clash with ours at every turn? How does dealing with these nations tie with Trump’s promises to put America’s security and sovereignty above all else? His actions in Riyadh and his words about Middle Eastern investment in America are a defiance of history and the promise to NEVER FORGET.

Let’s start with Saudi Arabia. 
Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudi nationals. That’s not a coincidence; it’s a red flag. Saudi Arabia’s promotion of Wahhabism, a strict form of Sunni Islam, is criticized for fostering intolerance. Critics, many within the CIA, argue it creates a “soil” for groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Saudi-funded mosques, Qurans, and textbooks worldwide have been linked to radicalization. Yet Trump stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kingdom, signing $600 billion in deals and praising the Saudi’s “peace” efforts. These deals, which include defense contracts and cultural exchanges, are being sold as a boon for American jobs—potentially 2 million of them. But at what cost? When Saudi money floods our economy, it’s not just investment; it’s influence. It’s a foothold for a nation that has never fully reckoned with its role in the worst attack on American soil.

Then there’s Syria.
Trump’s decision to lift sanctions is very risky, in my opinion. Syria is not a reformed nation; it’s a breeding ground for radicalization. ISIS, one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in modern history, rose from Syrian soil. The idea that normalizing relations will bring stability ignores the reality of a regime that has gassed its own people and harbored extremists. This move sends a message that America is willing to overlook atrocities for the sake of vague promises of cooperation. It ignores the countless Americans who fought and died to combat the terror that Syria has unleashed.

Are We For Sale?
Trump’s rhetoric about Middle Eastern nations investing in America is equally troubling. He’s celebrating $1.4 trillion from the UAE and Saudi Arabia as a win for our economy, but I see it for what it is: a Trojan horse. The Muslim Brotherhood, exposed in the Holy Land Foundation trial, made it clear they aim to infiltrate and subvert America from within. Their strategy isn’t bombs or bullets; it’s money, influence, and patience. These massive investments are not acts of friendship; they’re calculated moves to buy leverage in our nation. A prime example: Qatar’s offer of a luxury airplane to Trump wasn’t generosity—it was a bribe. These nations don’t share our values. They don’t believe in our kind of freedom. They don’t stand for equality, or the Judeo-Christian principles that built America. Their goal is dominance and Islamic rule, and so it feels like Trump is handing them the keys in exchange for trade deals and investments we DO NOT NEED.

Damn it!
Today, I retired from podcasting. I announced to my audience that my daily podcast, which got as high as #4 on the charts, will no longer be available come June 1. Instead, I will do a long form program, once per week, that dabbles in various topics, exclusively for my TeamDML.com members. One of the main reasons why is because I can’t get myself to talk about things like this Saudi deal without blowing my top, damn it. It’s one thing to write about it in a newsletter, but when I am in front of the mic — my blood starts to boil and the stress is just too much. I get revved up, and it takes hours after the show is over for me to unrev. Maybe it’s because I know the real dangers — maybe it’s PTSD from living 9/11 — or maybe it’s because I am too privy to our nation’s ability to screw things up.
 
I’m saddened—heartbroken, really—by Trump’s moves today. I was disappointed when he aligned with Saudi-backed LIV Golf, a move that felt like a punch to the gut for 9/11 families still grieving their loved ones. Now, he’s doubling down, embracing nations that have consistently acted against our interests. The Middle East, with the exception of Israel, has shown time and again that it harbors a deep-seated hatred for the United States. This isn’t speculation; it’s history. The message is clear: The Middle East countries that are rooted in a religious ideology that demands submission, will never align with our way of life.

Let’s talk about Islam. 
I believe in religious freedom. This means I respect the wishes of those who want to practice Islam and give themselves to the Quran. With that said, I do not appreciate it when a religion wants to interfere with my ability to celebrate and honor my own faith.

Islam, as practiced in much of the Middle East, doesn’t allow for the kind of peace Trump envisions. The Quran explicitly permits lying to “infidels” if it advances the cause of jihad. This isn’t a fringe interpretation; it’s a doctrine that has fueled centuries of conflict. Trump’s talk of a Middle East defined by “commerce, not chaos” sounds nice, but it’s a fantasy. The hatred for those who don’t worship Allah runs deep, and no amount of trade deals will change that. Peace in the Middle East is a pipe dream because the dominant religious framework rejects coexistence with the West. Trump, for all his deal-making prowess, underestimates the power and dedication of the Muslim world to see our planet ruled by Islam.

WE DO NOT NEED THE MONEY. 
These investments are not partnerships in my opinion; they’re traps. Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE—they don’t see America as an ally but as a target. It’s a power grab strategy with a long game mentality. The sooner we recognize this, the better. With this said, I do not want to be at war with these people, and I wish they’d all live in peace. However, the Middle East does not want peace. They demonstrate this time and time again.

Trump’s vision of a transformed Middle East might appeal to optimists, but it ignores the hard truth: our enemies don’t want our friendship; they want our submission. Long term, these deals will backfire, leaving the U.S. more vulnerable and less feared.

NEVER FORGET
Nobody is perfect, and being president is no easy job. I appreciate Trump’s desire to make the world the perfect place, but it’s never going to happen because the other side of the world hates us. Thus, I wish the president was in front of me right now — I would tell him to NEVER FORGET. Then I would politely remind him that we have problems at home which need to be resolved before the midterms. I would like to see him place greater effort in fixing things domestically instead of spending his precious time dealing internationally. There is no economist or government official, including Trump, who will ever convince me that we need money and investment from the Middle East in order to create jobs. If I am wrong — if we do need Saudi money and Qatar airplanes — then we have completely lost our way as a nation and there is no way back to greatness.

I still believe in Trump’s ability to lead and I fully support and respect his presidency, but I will not add sugar to this mess — this is a dangerous misstep. We must reject these entanglements and recommit to an America-first policy that prioritizes our security, our values, and our people without selling ourselves to the Middle East. The Middle East’s money comes with strings—strings that will strangle our sovereignty if we let them. If you disagree with me — after you visit my sponsor, come back and rate the newsletter (scroll down below) and send me a message explaining why. I read them all.

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