"My preference will always be for peace and partnership," US President Donald Trump affirmed in Riyadh during the first foreign visit of his second term in office. The US president was addressing a distinguished audience of the US-Saudi Investment Forum, headed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In his 48-minute-long speech, Trump celebrated Saudi Arabia's strides toward progress, crediting its leadership and people for driving change from within: "It's crucial for the wider world to know this great transformation did not come from Western intervention... You achieved a modern miracle the Arabian way. That's a good way." Those remarks were not just congratulatory of Saudi Arabia's major achievements in recent years, but an assertion of the shift in US foreign policy strategy to one that prioritizes sovereignty and mutual respect. This is a clear departure from previous approaches characterized by liberal ideals, resulting in long and costly wars. Instead, the US is rethinking power in a multipolar international order, placing peace and partnership at the forefront. Trump distinguished himself from previous administrations and policies of those he described as "so-called nation-builders — the neocons and liberal non-profits," explicitly referencing previous American interventions in Kabul and Baghdad. He continued, "Far too many American presidents have been afflicted with the notion that it's our job to look into the souls of foreign leaders and use US policy to dispense justice," alluding to policies that have often led to stability being compromised in pursuit of democratization and regime change. While Trump flatly rejected liberal interventionism, he did not completely distance himself from liberal internationalism, which views diplomacy and cooperation as essential. His speech underscored the importance of engagement as the path to peace. He highlighted economic interdependence, pointing to trade as a key factor behind the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire. Even with long-standing adversaries, Trump signaled a willingness to reset relations. Referring to Iran, he declared his readiness to "end past conflict and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world — even if our differences may be very profound." At the same time, American military strength was front and center in Trump's address, aligning closely with offensive realism theory. Trump boasted about the unmatched strength of the US military, referencing weapons with "destructive power like nobody has seen before," and highlighting a pending one-trillion-dollar defense budget, framing it as a case of peace through strength. He went on to assert that he "will never hesitate to wield American power" to defend the United States or its allies. Though, he added, "Hopefully we'll never have to use them." The statement was followed by a reminder: "We have things that you don't even know about." Nevertheless, Trump reaffirmed his administration's commitment to peaceful engagement, "offering a strong and steady hand of friendship to all that will take it in good faith." The mix of strategic strength and diplomacy he presented reflected an alternative path rooted in peace and partnership. Whether this approach marks a lasting shift remains to be seen, but it offered a compelling glimpse into an approach to international relations shaped not by ideology, but by cooperation, pragmatism, and sovereignty. The "Arabian way" that Trump commended Saudi Arabia for recognizes that the stability and prosperity of the Middle East must come from within — from those who live its realities, understand its nuances, and are deeply invested in its future. By embracing this vision, Saudi Arabia has prioritized domestic development, empowered its people, and pursued regional diplomacy on its own terms. This approach has led to the restoration of diplomatic ties with Iran and support for a new transitional government in Syria — efforts Trump acknowledged by announcing the lifting of sanctions on Syria, crediting Saudi leadership for making such progress possible. As the world shifts toward a multipolar order, this vision offers a third way in international relations: one where peace and partnership take precedence over ideological crusades or aggressive power struggles. Reflecting this shift, Trump's speech during this landmark visit to Riyadh concluded with the words, "And we will always be friends." — Manar Al Mahmood, is a Saudi international affairs specialist with an academic background in political science and professional UN experience having served in diplomatic duties at UNESCO HQ in Paris, France.
