Saudi Arabia is of key diplomatic importance to the Trump White House, especially amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

President Donald Trump started the first major international travel of his second term in Riyadh, where he publicly bonded with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pundits call the crown prince, the nation’s de facto leader,

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump met with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the first encounter between the two nations’ leaders in 25 years and one that could mark a turning point for Syria as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation.