Did Trump Outsmart Saudis Or Saudis Outsmarted Trump?

Firstly, according to Fareed Zakaria, the Saudis outsmarted Trump. Here is Fareed :

Fareed Zakaria: How Saudi Arabia played Donald Trump

The Washington Post  May 27, 2017 

bombing in Manchester gruesome reminder of radical Islamic terrorism 

country central to spread of terrorism, Saudi Arabia

managed to evade, deflect any responsibility 

Trump given Saudi free pass and free hand in region

facts are : for 5 decades Saudis spread intolerant Islam 

(Wahhabism) practiced almost nowhere else — across Muslim world

Osama was Saudi, 15 of 19 terrorists of 9/11

leaked email by Hillary Clinton 

Saudi and Qatar “provide clandestine support to ISIS"

and other radical Sunni groups 

Saudis 2nd largest group of foreign fighters in ISIS 

largest in terrorist group’s Iraqi operations. 

Saudis in tacit alliance with al-Qaida 

ISIS beliefs from Saudi’s Wahhabi version of Islam

imam of Grand Mosque said, ISIS “exploited our principles, found in our books.

ISIS adopted Saudi curriculum as its own

Saudi money now transforming European Islam

German intelligence reports charities “closely connected with Saudi govt”  

funding mosques, schools, imams to disseminate intolerant Islam in Germany

In Kosovo 500-year-old tradition of moderate Islam being destroyed 

Saudi-trained imams propagate Wahhabism 

supremacy of Shariah, violent jihad and takfirism

killing of Muslims considered heretics 

Trump said, “No discussion of stamping out this threat would be complete without mentioning the government that gives terrorists ... safe harbor, financial backing, and the social standing needed for recruitment.”

But Trump was talking of Iran. 

wildly inaccurate to describe Iran as source of jihadi terror. 

94% of Islamic terrorism deaths since 2001 by ISIS, al-Qaida, Sunni jihadists

Iran is fighting those groups, not fueling them

Almost every terror attack some connection to Saudi Arabia

none have been linked to Iran

America has signed up for Saudi foreign policy 

relentless battles against Shiites throughout Middle East

enmesh Washington in never-ending sectarian struggle

fuel regional instability, complicate ties with Iraq 

will do nothing to address jihadi terrorism

Trump’s foreign policy going to put Saudi Arabia first

My comments : That is a gist of Fareed Zakaria's opinion that was carried by the Washington Post. By the way Fareed Zakaria describes himself as a 'non practising' Muslim. Fareed Zakaria is convinced that Saudi Arabia has pulled a number on Donald Trump.  

I look at it differently. 

My view is Donald Trump has put a gun to the head of the Saudis. If you watch the video, while Trump was speaking, King Salman was visibly nervous. You can see the King grabbing onto every single word that Trump was saying.
 

Here is a gist of Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia, with my comments in between.

Riyadh : Trump spoke to leaders of 50 Muslim countries 

outline his vision for US-Muslim relations

(My comments : Initially it was a meeting with Saudi Arabia and just a few Arab countries. Then it became a "world summit" at very short notice of almost all Muslim leaders. Clearly the US prepared the invitation list. The Saudis paid the hotel bills. Typical Trump.)

today we begin new chapter bring lasting benefits to our citizens

a message of friendship and hope

I chose to make my first foreign visit to the heart of Muslim world

I pledged to strengthen America's oldest friendships

build new partnerships in pursuit of peace

America will not seek to impose our way of life on others

but outstretch hands in spirit of cooperation and trust

(My comments : A great opening by Trump. America will not impose our way of life. It also means 'and dont try to impose your way of life on others'.)

goal is stamping out extremism, providing our children hopeful future 

US eager to bond friendships, security, culture, commerce

we signed historic agreements with Saudi

will invest US$400 billion in our two countries

create thousands of jobs in America, Saudi Arabia

landmark agreement includes US$110 billion defense purchase 

will help Saudi take a greater role in security operations

(My comments : My view is this was Trump's "Art of the Deal" in Saudi Arabia. Trump made Saudi Arabia his first overseas visit.  Giving the Saudi royals ample media opportunity and hype. The Saudis are highly insecure because they suffer serious legitimacy issues. Trump's visit and the Islamic leaders' summit in Riyadh makes the Saudis look good in downtown Jeddah and Riyadh.  

• But there was a price to pay. 
• First the Saudis had to buy US$110 Billion worth of weapons. 
• Then the Saudis had to sign an agreement to invest US$400 B in the US 
• ["create thousands of jobs in America, Saudi Arabia"]. 

You want the American President to come visiting and bring a life-vest to keep you from drowning, you have to pay for it. In this case the Saudis had to pay US$510 Billion worth. Plus they also had to foot the hotel bills for 50 heads of state who were invited by Donald Trump !! I think this was Trump's "Art of the Deal" in Saudi Arabia.)

Now here come the threats. And direct US intervention in Saudi affairs  :

opening Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology --  right here

groundbreaking center represents clear declaration 

My comments : This "Global Center" in Saudi Arabia will work hand in hand with the US effort to check the flow of funds to terrorists.  In other words, it will check the Saudis themselves. As Fareed Zakaria has pointed out the Saudis are the biggest funders of terrorism in the world.  

This is also Donald Trump's 'Art of the Deal'. 

You want to survive, you pay for your survival. 
We will sell you weapons. You invest in our country.
But we will check your terrorist funding. 
No more terrorist funding.

This means that Zakir Naik may become stateless.   
Our local Salafi mullah Hussein Yee and friends may see less moolas coming from Saudi Arabia.  
Salafis all over the world will have to find new sources of funding.
More job openings for Nepalis.  


Muslim countries must take lead in combating radicalization

We are not here to lecture

we are not here to tell people how to live, what to do, who to be, how to worship

we are here to offer partnership -- based on shared interests and values 

above all we must be united in pursuing one goal 

to meet history's great test—to conquer extremism and vanquish terrorism

(My comments :  In other words, if the Arab countries decide to fight each other or go to war, they are on their own. If Saudi Arabia wants to fight Iran, then Saudi Arabia is on its own. America will sell them weapons of course. But the Saudis will have to fight their own wars. So please choose your wars carefully. This is what Trump is telling the Saudis. You want to start a fight, make sure you can finish the fight yourself. Dont cry for US help.) 

• Muslims should grow up free from fear, safe from violence, innocent of hatred
• young Muslims should have chance for new era of prosperity 
• beginning of end for those who practice terror and spread vile creed
• this special gathering be remembered as beginning of peace in Middle East 
• and maybe, even all over the world
• future only achieved through defeating terrorism and ideology 

(My comments : I think this is a direct reference to the Saudis and their Wahhabi / Salafi ideology.  When Trump mentioned fear, violence, hatred, terror, vile creed, terrorism, extremist ideology he was hinting directly at the trade marks of the Wahhabi / Salafi ideology of Saudi Arabia. There is no mistaking here.)

95% of victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim

true toll of ISIS, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas must be counted not only in the dead

must also be counted in generations of vanished dreams

untapped potential held at bay by bloodshed and terror

There can be no coexistence with this violence

There can be no tolerating it, no accepting it, no excusing it, no ignoring it

If we do not act against this organized terror, we know what will happen

battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life

This is a battle between Good and Evil

(My comments :  More of the same.)

everyone in this room does their fair share and fulfills their part of the burden

America is prepared to stand with you 

But Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them

Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want 

it is a choice America CANNOT make for you

better future only possible if you drive out terrorists and extremists

Drive. Them. Out.

DRIVE THEM OUT of your places of worship.

DRIVE THEM OUT of your communities.

DRIVE THEM OUT of your holy land, and

DRIVE THEM OUT OF THIS EARTH.

(My comments :  I repeat, in other words, if the Arab countries decide to fight each other or go to war, they are on their own. If Saudi Arabia wants to fight Iran, then Saudi Arabia is on its own. America will sell them weapons of course. But the Saudis will have to fight their own wars. So please choose your wars carefully. This is what Trump is telling the Saudis and the Arabs. You want to start a fight, make sure you can finish the fight yourself. Dont cry for US help.)

America adjusting to meet evolving threats and new facts

We will discard strategies that have not worked

will apply new approaches informed by experience and judgment

(My comments : Forcing the Saudis to cough up US$510 BILLION is certainly a new approach. Plus US100 Million for Ivanka Trump's Women's NGO !!) 

adopting Principled Realism, rooted in common values and shared interests

Our partnerships will advance security through stability, not radical disruption

We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes -- not inflexible ideology. 

We will be guided by experience, not confines of rigid thinking. 

(My comments :    

• "Principled Realism" simple means 'cut the crap'. Better behave yourselves. 
• Inflexible ideology is just an euphemism for wahhabism, salafism, islam, etc. 
• Keep your religion inside your pants. 
• Same applies for "rigid thinking".  
• The ostard wal retards all over the world will start screaming louder. 
• Dato Ayub Khan and the boys on Bukit Aman will have even more headaches.)

We seek partners, not perfection— make allies of all who share our goals

Muslim nations must take on the burden to defeat terrorism 

1st task is for you to deny all territory to  foot soldiers of evil

Every country has absolute duty to ensure terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil

deny terrorist organizations territory and populations

we must also strip them of their access to funds

cut off financial channels that let ISIS sell oil, terrorists smuggle reinforcements

(My comments :   After this speech by Donald Trump, Zakir Naik may find his welcome in Saudi Arabia and Qatar cut short.   He will soon be travelling again.  Malaysia is not exempted. So please dont be so stupid to give PR to terrorist preachers, terrorist mentors, terrorist leaders and other terrorist characters.)

nations here will sign agreement to prevent financing of terrorism

Terrorist Financing Targeting Center -- co-chaired by US and Saudi
joined by every member of Gulf Cooperation Council

another historic step that will be long remembered


(My comments : This Terrorist Financing Targeting Center will be set up inside Saudi Arabia. This means the US will have direct access to pry into Saudi financial transactions. The US will be able to pry into every Saudi funds transfer. Especially funds transfers to dubious Saudi linked charities around the world. Shall I name one in Malaysia? Ok lah we will not. Lets have some Mercy !)

honestly confront Islamist extremism and Islamist terror groups it inspires

stand against oppression of women, persecution of Jews, slaughter of Christians

Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear

Barbarism will deliver you no glory 

If you choose path of terror, your life will be empty, brief, and BE CONDEMNED

Starving terrorists of territory, funding, false ideology, basis for defeating them

Responsible nations must work together to eradicate ISIS 

(My comments : Another direct  remark about Saudi Arabia.)

King Salman, thank you for massive investment in America, its industry and jobs

( My comments : US$110b weapons + US$400b "investment" + US$100m for Ivanka = US$510.1 BILLION !! What a fantastic deal !! )

you can only unlock future if Middle East freed from extremism, terror, violence

Will we be indifferent in the presence of evil? 

Will we protect our citizens from its violent ideology? 

Will we let its venom spread through our societies? 

Will we let it destroy the most holy sites on earth? 

If do not confront this deadly terror, future will bring more suffering 

if we are determined to destroy terror 

no limit to great future our citizens will have

The birthplace of civilization is awaiting new renaissance

Just imagine what tomorrow could bring

Glorious wonders of science, art, medicine and commerce 

Great cities built on ruins of shattered towns

New jobs, industries that will lift up millions of people

I ask you to join me to FIGHT together— UNITED WE WILL NOT FAIL.

My comments :  Yup. And the Saudis will pay for all this. The Americans will supply the weapons and build the cities for them. Lets Make America Great Again !

If this goes where I think it is headed, a thousand more Osama bin Ladin's will rise up from inside Saudi Arabia.  This time they will overthrow the ruling Sauds.  

What Trump has said is extremely very good for Islam and for the Islamic countries.
But it is extremely very bad for "Saudi"  Arabia. 

And Donald Trump knows exactly what he is saying.