False profits
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine, Libya, China, Latin America, and Haiti.
The five things you need to know today:
SAUDI ARABIA. Riyadh courts Trump with a $1 trillion mirage.
ISRAEL. PALESTINE. Netanyahu goes it alone in Gaza and beyond.
LIBYA. A warlord’s death upsets a delicate balance.
CHINA. LATIN AMERICA. Beijing makes a move in Washington’s backyard.
HAITI. A neglected conflict reaches a tipping point.
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SAUDI ARABIA. The mountain comes to Mohammed
Riyadh courts Trump with a $1 trillion mirage.
Donald Trump said Tuesday the US would receive $1 trillion in investment from Saudi Arabia and called host Mohammed bin Salman "an incredible man". The president said he would lift sanctions on Syria. "Oh what I do for the crown prince."
INTELLIGENCE. In addition to acting on Syria, Trump also agreed to sell Riyadh $142 billion in arms, but no announcements on Palestine (or, for that matter, Israel) were made. Trump only said it was his "fervent hope" the kingdom would recognise the Jewish state "in your own time". Trump’s objectives otherwise seem to be economic, but even here, many of the deals seem to be more about US investment in Saudi Arabia than the other way around.
FOR BUSINESS. Adding to the confusion on Trump's $1 trillion headline was a White House statement citing $600 billion and signage at a business gala citing $300 billion. And while the amounts aren't small, they're mostly pledges from US firms (some already announced) rather than state-backed commitments. Saudi GDP is only $1.1 trillion. Cheap oil is placing strain on the budget (which needs prices at $96 to balance). Existing mega-projects have stalled.
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ISRAEL. PALESTINE. The missile comes for Sinwar
Netanyahu goes it alone in Gaza and beyond.
Israel said it targeted Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar in a strike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis Tuesday. Gazan authorities said 16 were killed and 70 wounded. Israel said it intercepted another ballistic missile from Yemen.
INTELLIGENCE. Benjamin Netanyahu claims his ties with Donald Trump are "excellent", but after the US announced