Fareed Zakaria on Trump's Middle East Strategy and Iran Deal

Trump's Disruptive Approach

• ⚡ Donald Trump's instinct for disruption, while often causing chaos, can also shake up tired, old ways.
• 🎯 This week, Trump surprised observers with his willingness to take risks, exemplified by his meeting with Syria's leader and announcing the removal of US sanctions.

Shifting Dynamics in the Middle East

• 💡 Trump's renewed interest in an Iran nuclear deal is seen as ironic, given his previous withdrawal from the agreement.
• 📉 Key shifts making a new deal possible include Iran's weakened state due to economic mismanagement, sanctions, and corruption, compounded by Israeli assaults and the collapse of its ally, Syria's government.
• 📈 Conversely, Saudi Arabia has grown stronger, improving regional relations and seeking stability for its modernization goals under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Obstacles and Opportunities for an Iran Deal

• 🚧 The primary obstacle to a new deal is Bibi Netanyahu, whose stance is increasingly unsupported by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
• 🤝 Saudi officials now explicitly support a new Iran nuclear deal, potentially seeing it as the best way to contain nuclear proliferation and benefiting from a regional consortium model for uranium enrichment.
• ⚠️ The Trump administration is divided between