POTUS - promising 'beautiful military equipment' to Qatar'

[superbeets]

[h=1]Trump shows off buddy act with Mideast leaders as he praises the Egyptian president's shoes – while promising 'beautiful military equipment' to Qatar[/h]

• Donald Trump continued his Mideast meetings in Saudi Arabia as he held bilateral talks with leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar
• Joked with Egypt's al-Sisi about his shoes after the Egyptian president told him he had 'a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible'
• Promised Qatar's emir 'very serious discussions' about an arms deal
• Told Bahrain's king that he would have less 'strain' with his White House than with Obama's, following 2011 condemnation over human rights

 

[superbeets]

Donald Trump's first foreign trip as president struck a few comedic notes on Sunday as he put his buddy act with Arab leaders on display.
Ahead of a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Trump called him 'my friend' and said he would 'absolutely' accept his invitation to visit Egypt soon – and then complimented him on his shoes.
Speaking through a translator, al-Sisi said Trump is 'a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.'
The U.S. president smiled and gamely replied: 'I agree!' drawing laughs.

+6

President Donald Trump held bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saying he will visit Egypt soon – and complimenting al-Sisi on his shoes

'Love your shoes!' Trump told al-Sisi. 'Boy, those shoes. Man!' Al-Sisi's shiny left shoe is pictured at left, Trump's duller footwear at right

Trump's fashion-worship comment surprised reporters and photographers as they hung on his every word.
'Love your shoes!' the president told al-Sisi. 'Boy, those shoes. Man!'
It's unclear what brand of footwear the Egyptian president was wearing, or if Trump will buy a pair.
But he may have a chance to go shoe-shopping when he goes to Cairo.
'We will absolutely be putting that on the list very soon,' Trump said, calling his talks with Sisi in Riyadh 'very, very important.'
'We've really been through a lot together positively,' he said.
He also praised 'General' Sisi for the release of Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian-American aid worker, who was released last month at Trump's request after nearly 3 years in captivity.
'The American people appreciated that,' Trump said.

 

[superbeets]

+6

Trump spoke warmly with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah but stopped short of promising a visit to the tiny nation

 

[superbeets]

Meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Trump told reporters that the two would soon be negotiating an arms deal that sounded akin to the purchase inked on Saturday with the king of Saudi Arabia.
Trump referred to upcoming 'very serious discussions.'
'One of the things that we will discuss is the purchase of lots of beautiful military equipment,' he said, 'because nobody makes it like the United States.'
'And for us that means jobs and it also means frankly great security back here, which we want.'
The U.S. inked a $110 arms billion deal on Saturday with the Saudi king.
In the brief moments reporters were allowed in the room, Trump and Emir Tamim were not heard discussing human rights issues.

+6

Trump shook hands with Bahrain's King Hamad, telling him there would be less 'strain' with his White House – likely a reference to human rights – than there was with Barack Obama

Qatar has come under fire for the sometimes unbearable working conditions at construction sites where 2022 World Cup venues are being built.
Trump shifted gears with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, saying the U.S. has 120 years of diplomatic relations with his nation despite the fact that there 'has been a little strain.'
'But there won't be strain with this administration,' he pledged, saying the U.S. and Bahrain have 'many of the same things in common.'
As he has throughout his meetings in Saudi Arabia, Trump seemed to prioritize Mideast security and 'stability in the region' over human rights reforms.
In 2011 the Obama administration condemned Bahrain for 'mass arrests and brute force' the king employed in order to put down protest movements during the Arab Spring.

+6

Plane plans for Qatar: Trump promised Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani 'very serious discussions' about deals for military equipment

 

[ScottL]

"Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, You're Hired!"

 

[superbeets]

King Hamad sponsored an internal review and promised to implement reforms that never came to fruition, instead steadily escalating its repression of moderate opposition leaders and human rights activists.
Last month Bahrain's foreign minister praised the Trump administration's emphasis on terror-fighting, saying he had seen 'a much clearer understanding from the [new] White House of the threats we are facing here in the region and especially the ones that are coming from the [ISIS] Islamic Republic.'
In contrast to his quick acceptance of al-Sisi's invitation to visit Egypt, Trump made no similar commitment to Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah – who said 'my brother Trump ... would be a dear guest' in his tiny country and 'feel how much people of Kuwait like and admire the United States.'
Trump noted that Kuwait, which the U.S. liberated from Iraq during the first Gulf war, purchases 'tremendous amounts of our military equipment' – including Boeing F-18 fighter jets from the United States, 'which you like very much.'
The president's last scheduled bilateral meeting of the day, with Omani autocrat Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, was canceled without explanation.

 

[superbeets]

"Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, You're Hired!"

"Mosi You're Hired!"

​

 

[ScottL]

Hey Superbeets I love your shoes buddy

 

[ScottL]

I hate that we're selling military equipment to Qatar; who are they gonna use it upon? But if we don't sell them the shit Putin will!

 

[superbeets]

Use against Shia Houthis in Yemen.

They are important part of Gulf Cooperation Council; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman.

The more these countries can look after themselves the less the West ( mainly USA, but also UK and France ) have to pay for their protection. It is the way forward for the Gulf states. Qatar played a role supporting Libya rebels against Gaddafi.

 

[Enfuego]

I hate that we're selling military equipment to Qatar; who are they gonna use it upon? But if we don't sell them the shit Putin will!

Why? We've had a huge military base in Qatar since 2002 that we routinely operate out of to drop bombs all over the Middle East. In fact, we have a second right down the road as well. Military families are now allowed to move to Doha too.

I believe the lease with them on the bases is for 100 years or so if I'm not mistaken.

 

[ScottL]

Because they have provided money and cover for terror groups like Hamas.

 

[Dave007inVegas]

Because they have provided money and cover for terror groups like Hamas.

Well gee golly whiz I'm shocked. Every country in the ME except for Jew World
provides money and cover for terror groups. It's a part of doing business over
there. I liken it to the mafia here at home. If you want your concrete poured
on time to have grease the wheel.

At least Trump is getting something in return and not just giving away billions..
As long as we want a presence in the ME IE Qatar, Turkey, SA, among others we'll
continue to make deals. And you wondered why I called you a virgin.

 

[Enfuego]

Because they have provided money and cover for terror groups like Hamas.

If you take this approach, we would not be able to deal with any Middle Eastern country.

 

[ScottL]

You guys are overreacting to what I said. I did not condemn the deal in my comment. I actually pretty much said it's how the world works.

And Dave you seem to try and break my balls more than you do any other poster. I usually just play it off but now I'm starting to wonder if you're a bit beyond just breaking balls.

 

[Dave007inVegas]

You guys are overreacting to what I said. I did not condemn the deal in my comment. I actually pretty much said it's how the world works.

And Dave you seem to try and break my balls more than you do any other poster. I usually just play it off but now I'm starting to wonder if you're a bit beyond just breaking balls.

If you can't stand the heat I'll gladly get out of your kitchen.

 

[ScottL]

If you can't stand the heat I'll gladly get out of your kitchen.

It's just a forum Dave. Nothing here is that big a deal. My style is to try and be serious about subject, but banter with people. I figure I've got most people here read pretty well. You and I have had plenty of laughs. Just that heat you're referencing I'm curious as to why you often choose to turn the burners up in my kitchen? I don't recall ever going after you.

 

[Dave007inVegas]

It's just a forum Dave. Nothing here is that big a deal. My style is to try and be serious about subject, but banter with people. I figure I've got most people here read pretty well. You and I have had plenty of laughs. Just that heat you're referencing I'm curious as to why you often choose to turn the burners up in my kitchen? I don't recall ever going after you.

I plead the 5th. )^&&

 

[ScottL]

I plead the 5th.

 

[919]

[h=1]Trump stoking a serious diplomatic incident while supporting a blockade of a county hosting a major US military base [/h]Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrumpDuring my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look!