Why Donald Trump chose Riyadh as his first foreign trip

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has chosen Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip — a symbolic decision that helps shape the foreign policy of a presidential term.“I have very good relationships with the Middle East,” he said on Monday, as discussions also surfaced about a possible regional tour that would include Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.As a key player in the region, Riyadh represents an essential partner for U.S. ambitions in the Middle East. These include, namely, ending the war in Gaza, curbing Iran’s nuclear aspirations, bringing about stability in Syria and even facilitating cease-fire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine — an issue for which Riyadh has recently hosted talks involving Washington. Read more In Riyadh, Sharaa intends to build the new Syria While no official date has been...