Trump's Deal with Saudi Arabia Shows Middle East Situation is Crazy

By Laura Tingle

Topic: World Politics

Saturday, 1 August 2026, at 5:00 am

Donald Trump's comments do not affect world markets or diplomatic circles.

For the past decade, strong leaders have been rising in global politics.

Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin are examples of these leaders.

Other strong leaders include Viktor Orbán and Jair Bolsonaro.

A lot has changed in the past year.

The US and Russia still have powerful leaders, but they are less effective.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are still strong leaders.

Trump's comments are not taken seriously by world markets or diplomats.

Trump announced a deal for the disarmament of Hamas and other groups in Gaza.

People wondered if others had agreed to this deal.

There was no comment from Hamas or Israel on the deal.

A new mix of important factors is affecting the world.

These factors include the effects of powerful countries destabilizing others.

The rise of unstable countries and non-state actors is also important.

Technological changes in warfare are also changing global power.

Analysts doubt Hamas will give up its weapons and Israel will leave Gaza.

Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are getting worse.

Egypt is also under attack now.

Ukraine attacked an Iranian ship, linking Iran and Ukraine's conflicts.

There are reports of China selling arms to Iran, which China denies.

NATO jets responded to a Russian missile in Polish airspace.

Ukraine is worried about North Korea sending troops to Russia.

The impacts of conflicts go beyond fighting and soldiers.

Trump stopped a nuclear power deal with Saudi Arabia.

Russia is importing oil from India due to damage from Ukraine.

The EU is struggling with sanctions on a Russian-owned aluminum smelter.

Ukraine is buying Chinese drone parts with an EU defense loan.

Trump announced a nuclear power deal with Saudi Arabia, but then changed his mind.

The deal would have allowed US companies to build nuclear infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Critics say the deal has serious flaws, including no international safeguards.

The deal could lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

The US has different standards for Saudi Arabia than for other countries.

This deal could create the same nuclear ecosystem that the US fears in Iran.

Trump said Saudi Arabia must be friends with Israel for the deal to happen.

This shows how crazy the situation in the Middle East is.

The irony of Israel's actions

The Arab world is conflicted about Israel.

Israel's actions in Palestinian territories are making things worse.

Despite anxiety about Iran, the Gulf states are ambivalent about Israel.

Trump's meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister showed the complexity of the situation.

Israel feels like it has emerged as the new leader in the region.

Israel is redefining the language of international affairs.

Israel must support governments in the region instead of destabilizing them.

There is irony in Israel's actions, as analyst Gregory Gause pointed out.

Israel's security comes from its peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

Israel's actions in Lebanon and Syria are not helping its security.

Supporting nascent governments is an issue that must be addressed.

Iran's allies still have significant influence in the Arab world.

Iran's militias have been attacking US bases in the region.

The new Iraqi government has filled positions with Iran's allies.

Which brings us to Iran.

A more nuanced view of Iran

Analysts Narges Bajoghli and Vali Nasr offer a more sophisticated view of Iran.

The new Iranian leadership has separated revolution from statecraft.

They are pragmatic, hardened nationalists with a clear view of Iran's strengths and weaknesses.

They can exercise strategic patience and act decisively.

They look at Iran's weaknesses and treat them as problems to be solved.

The US president's comments on Iran are not helpful.

The Islamic Republic used to be a chaotic maze of competing power centers.

But now it has organizational discipline and resilience.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President JD Vance are wrong about Iran.

Tehran's approach is not ideological or factional, but rather a reflection of its understanding of the US.

Iran's leaders believe they have won the war and are confident in their international outlook.

Abroad, Iran will manage its allies with more strategic discipline and less ideology.

The new Iranian leadership will not sacrifice Iran's interests for revolutionary solidarity.

Iran's alliances will be part of a coherent regional strategy.

The most important message is that Iran has a coherent regional strategy.

Laura Tingle is the ABC's Global Affairs Editor.

See more ABC coverage.

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