Franco Ordonez

Thanks always, Steve.

The Al Udeid Air Base just southwest of Doha is the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East, housing thousands of U.S. troops. No visit of the Gulf would be complete without stopping to salute the people who keep America safe, strong, and free.

The Al Udeid Air Base just southwest of Doha is the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East, housing thousands of U.S. troops. No visit of the Gulf would be complete without stopping to salute the people who keep America safe, strong, and free.

Trump regaled the troops with a campaign-style speech with lots of stories from his time in office, including his efforts to end diversity programs. The president is on a four-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, mixing some business deals with diplomacy as the administration works with the region to try and end conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Trump regaled the troops with a campaign-style speech with lots of stories from his time in office, including his efforts to end diversity programs. The president is on a four-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, mixing some business deals with diplomacy as the administration works with the region to try and end conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Franco, Ordonez, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Franco, Ordonez, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Well, I mean, the White House says this trip is about strengthening ties in the region and highlighting cooperation where, as the press secretary puts it, extremism has been replaced by commerce and cultural exchanges. And Layla, there's expected to be a lot of commerce and culture exchange this trip because it's kind of the best they have to offer each other right now.

Well, I mean, the White House says this trip is about strengthening ties in the region and highlighting cooperation where, as the press secretary puts it, extremism has been replaced by commerce and cultural exchanges. And Layla, there's expected to be a lot of commerce and culture exchange this trip because it's kind of the best they have to offer each other right now.

Well, I mean, the White House says this trip is about strengthening ties in the region and highlighting cooperation where, as the press secretary puts it, extremism has been replaced by commerce and cultural exchanges. And Layla, there's expected to be a lot of commerce and culture exchange this trip because it's kind of the best they have to offer each other right now.

I spoke with Stephen Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations, who told me that the Gulf leaders know what Trump wants.

I spoke with Stephen Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations, who told me that the Gulf leaders know what Trump wants.

I spoke with Stephen Cook at the Council on Foreign Relations, who told me that the Gulf leaders know what Trump wants.

Now, Trump also plans to visit Al Udeid air base outside of Doha in Qatar, where he'll speak with U.S. troops stationed there.

Now, Trump also plans to visit Al Udeid air base outside of Doha in Qatar, where he'll speak with U.S. troops stationed there.

Now, Trump also plans to visit Al Udeid air base outside of Doha in Qatar, where he'll speak with U.S. troops stationed there.

Well, I mean, I'm sure it'll be part of the conversation and talks about updates on ceasefire efforts, but it's more likely to be behind closed doors because, again, there's just been such little progress as of late. Now, the Qataris, for example, have been involved in those talks, hosting negotiations in Doha between Hamas and Israel.

Well, I mean, I'm sure it'll be part of the conversation and talks about updates on ceasefire efforts, but it's more likely to be behind closed doors because, again, there's just been such little progress as of late. Now, the Qataris, for example, have been involved in those talks, hosting negotiations in Doha between Hamas and Israel.

Well, I mean, I'm sure it'll be part of the conversation and talks about updates on ceasefire efforts, but it's more likely to be behind closed doors because, again, there's just been such little progress as of late. Now, the Qataris, for example, have been involved in those talks, hosting negotiations in Doha between Hamas and Israel.

And one reason Cook says that Gulf leaders shower Trump with such lavishness and big business deals is it insulates them. It insulates them from any extra pressure that the U.S. may want to impose on them to either take action on Gaza, for example, if they're reluctant to do so.