The meeting between the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and President Trump in Washington on Tuesday was a historic turning point in a bilateral relation of the two countries. This is one of the most important meetings between president Trump and world leaders since last November's presidential election. Relations between the two allies were strained during the Obama Administration due to the difference of opinion regarding many regional issues. However, direct leader to leader dialogue has helped put the relations back on the right track, and is considered by many observers a significant shift in relations, across all political, military, security and economic fields. During his election campaign and after, President Trump has sent many provocative messages to the world, including the GCC countries and Iraq, but this meeting has marked a new footing for an old relationship, according to Andrew Bowen of the American Enterprise Institute. Due to differences with President Barak Obama, especially on the Iranian nuclear program and the war in Syria, some observers believed that the relation between the two allies had reached a point of no return. Events took a striking turn when the Kingdom started looking for support from other global powers, mainly Russia and France, but it didn't close the door completely with the US, nor did it compromise the strategic relations. What the Kingdom wanted was to make others understand its security priorities that were threatened by the Iranian expansionist scheme and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Since his coming to power in Jan.2015, King Salman was determined to assert the country's political status and protect its interest. Following this meeting, it is business as usual, and the meeting was an opportunity for the two countries" to move together in the 21st century", according to Faisal bin Fahd al Saud, adviser to the Deputy Crown Prince in his interview with Fox news. Away from formalities, the two leaders showed that they mean business by reaffirming their support for a strong, broad, and enduring strategic partnership based on a shared interest and commitment to the stability and prosperity of the Middle East region. What is more assuring is that the President has expressed his strong desire to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to continue the two countries' consultations to help reach solutions for regional issues. We know that President Trump will be under pressure from the Jewish lobby and the right-wing Israeli government, but we hope that he will keep his promise and win the hearts of over one billion Muslims by not moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem unless Israel ends its occupation of the Palestinian territories. In this era of instability in world economy, the unpredictable future and changes in the EU countries, the broad agreement between the two sides in the fields of investment and energy will help realize growth and prosperity in the two countries and the global economy When Prince Muhammad announced his "Saudi 2030" vision for the diversification of its economy, rather than depending on oil as the sole source of income, he has proved to have a dream and a vision, and this has won him respect from world leaders as a strategic planner. This breakthrough in the bilateral relations in all fields wasn't possible without President Trump's understanding " of the importance of relations between the two countries and his clear sight of problems in the region." Although president Trump has created many controversies at home and abroad, but he has proved to be more pragmatic in approaching the Middle East chronic problems. By inviting the region's leaders, and by sending his political and military teams to the main capitals, he wanted to have firsthand information and work accordingly. Being an ace businessman, he knows the risks and opportunities, and this what makes us optimistic to see more involvement on the ground that could restore stability and peace to the region. Dr. Talal Al Harbi
