The Arab and Muslim world is optimistic about the Sharm El- Sheikh summit which is taking place in Egypt. This is because they see a US administration that is focused on peace, and they believe they can trust US President Donald Trump. They tend to like his style, which blends US strength with a transactional doctrine.
What this means is that with Trump they believe what they see is what they will get. They know that Trump is serious about peace and also serious about boosting trade between the US and countries in the region. Many countries have already signaled they want to invest billions in US airplanes and defense products.
Egypt stands to gain a lot as a US partner. It already purchases US military equipment and receives billions in US support as part of the Egypt-Israel peace deal decades ago.
However, Egypt has been wary about the US in the past because it wondered about the US's commitment to Cairo. This was because it was suspicious of Barack Obama and his message for the region that appeared to unleash chaos more than 14 years ago. But things are now different, and Egypt feels it is getting the respect it deserves.
This is why Egypt’s president spoke with Israel’s Prime Minister as Trump arrived in Israel. "They agreed on his attendance at the peace summit, which will also include Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,” Egyptian media said. This is important because Cairo has tried to enable Palestinian reconciliation over the years.
Egypt expects summit to bring peace
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Trump will co-host a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, bringing together more than 20 world leaders. The summit aims to end the genocidal Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, boost efforts toward lasting peace, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Egypt’s Ahram Online noted that “Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Donald Trump will co-host a summit in Sharm El Sheikh, bringing together more than 20 world leaders. The summit aims to end the genocidal Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, boost efforts toward lasting peace, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability in the Middle East.” It is clear that Egypt expects that the summit will bring peace.
What are other countries in the region saying and what might they be expecting to come out of the meeting in Egypt and the new era of peace in the region? Arab News has an article about Saudi Arabia potentially having a role in Gaza.
“The statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, which welcomed the Gaza agreement and the beginning of the implementation of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s proposal, indicates that Riyadh is treating the ceasefire as a transition point to a new phase.
This phase is expected to see a halt to the genocide committed by Israeli occupation forces over the past two years and open a path toward managing the Strip in the aftermath of a war that has left massive destruction and caused a famine that the occupation authorities used as a weapon and as collective punishment against the Palestinians,” Saudi writer and researcher interested Hassan al-Mustafa writes.
Al-Arabiya is also focused on the summit. It has a whole page of its website devoted to it. One article noted that “French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that France will have a ‘very special role’ in governing the Gaza Strip in the future, ‘alongside the Palestinian Authority.’”
According to the report, Macron has said “we will play a very special role alongside the Palestinian Authority, and we will ensure that it has its role, but also that it carries out the reforms (needed) for the day after."
Trump receives another medal
Another report stated that “Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi decided on Monday to award US President Donald Trump the Nile Medal in appreciation of his contributions to peace efforts and conflict resolution, most recently his role in halting the war in Gaza.”
What is the Nile Necklace, the highest Egyptian medal? “According to the official website of the Egyptian Presidency, the Collar of the Nile is the highest and most prestigious Egyptian decoration, and it holds paramount importance. It is personally awarded by the President of the Republic, who grants its recipient a signed certificate. Upon their death, recipients of the necklace are granted military honor,” Al-Arabiya noted.
While media in Saudi Arabia and also Egypt appear confident, reports in UAE media such as Al-Ain and The National appear to be focused elsewhere. But this may not be due to having less confidence in the summit. It may be due to the other news in the region such as Trump’s arrival in Israel. However, it could also mean that locals are downplaying expectations.
Turkish media reported that Trump has said the war in Gaza has ended. This is important for Ankara. It wants to play a role in Gaza. This could mean that it, alongside France, Saudi Arabia and others are rushing to get a piece of the action. Turkey’s Anadolu also reported on Turkey’s important role in bringing about the end of the war. It noted that Trump has called Turkey’s role “fantastic.” This emphasizes Ankara’s influence in the region, Anadolu said.
“Turkey was fantastic too. President Erdogan was fantastic. He really helped a lot, because he's very respected. He's got a very powerful nation. He's got a very, very powerful military. And he helped a lot,” Trump told reporters while coming to Israel.
Trump also thanked Qatar for its role, specifically Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who Trump has called an “amazing man.”
According to Anadolu, Trump said of Qatar’s Emir that “his country is right in the middle of everything, more so than any other country.” As such, Turkey and Qatar will be focused on the meetings in Egypt.
Qatar and Turkey have both been more supportive of Hamas in the past. Doha hosts Hamas leaders and Turkey’s president has also met with them in the past. Meanwhile, Jordan and other countries have been praised by Trump for their role.
According to Jordanian state media, King Abdullah II departed for Egypt on Monday to head the Jordanian delegation participating in the Sharm El Sheikh Summit for Peace.
Petra News in Jordan noted that “the summit is being co-chaired by Egypt President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and United States President Donald Trump, with the participation of other world leaders as part of collective efforts to end the war on Gaza and promote peace, stability, and security in the region.
The Jordanian delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh. His Royal Highness Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein was sworn in as Regent, in the presence of Cabinet members.”