Together...

In April 2016, Barack Obama landed in Saudi Arabia visit. Obama’s arrival was not broadcast live. The governor of Riyadh welcomed him at the airport.  They were angry at the administration’s policies in the Middle East, a perceived shift toward Iran among other things.

A year later, the House of Saud is preparing to host President Donald Trump.  The Saudi daily Okaz published a graphic of every U.S. president's first foreign journey going back to Teddy Roosevelt. (Most modern presidents have visited Canada or Mexico on their first overseas trip.) The paper also ran a triumphant front-page headline, “Saudi First,” that listed 10 reasons why Trump chose the kingdom as his first foreign destination.

In the lead-up to Trump’s two-day visit, they’ve organized a grand reception for a leader who savors ostentatious displays of wealth and power. The streets of Riyadh are filled with Saudi and American flags, and billboards featuring Trump and Saudi King Salman with the slogan “Together we prevail.”

The local press is packed with effusive coverage. An official Saudi website for Trump’s visit features an online clock counting down the hours and minutes to the big day, under the slogan “Historic summit. Brighter future.” The Saudis are also promoting branded hashtags, in English and Arabic, for #RiyadhSummit.
 Reminding me with the story of the prodigal son..... Just a thought.