Nigeria, May 14 -- President Donald Trump has lifted longstanding sanctions on Syria and secured over $340 billion in defense and aviation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, drawing both praise and sharp criticism, especially over a controversial luxury jet offer from Doha.

U.S. regional priorities seem to be moving away from previous conditions around Israeli normalization and focusing on strategic partnerships and economic cooperation.

On May 13, President Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, the first formal meeting between the two countries' leaders in over two decades. The meeting was held despite concerns about President al-Sharaa's past affiliations with extremist groups.

Following the discussion, President...