Arab-Islamic-American summit

According to Saudi Arabia portal, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed President Donald Trump and leaders from across the Islamic world for the historic Arab Islamic American summit. It read that historic relationships will be strengthened through a shared belief in tolerance and collaboration, and the foundation will be laid for a new beginning and the promise of a brighter future for all. Almost all Muslim countries sans Iran participated in the conference. The objective appeared to be to renew mutual commitment to global security and further strengthen already deep business, cultural and political ties. The contours have not been unveiled as to what is to be achieved from this summit. However, even before the conference started, Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $110 billion agreement to bolster the military capabilities of Saudi Arabia.
The defense deal, effective immediately, was one of series of agreements the two countries signed to enhance their military and economic partnerships, including a second defense pact with options valued at up to $350 billion over the next 10 years. According to the White House statement, the deals would help the countries more effectively address common threats.
“This package of defense equipment and services supports the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the kingdom’s ability to contribute to counterterrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the U.S. military to conduct those operations,” the statement said. One would not know if other countries would benefit, President Donald Trump, who is in the line of fire in the US, has strengthened his position back home, as the deal would help increase jobs in the US.
It has to be noted that Muslim countries were alarmed by Donald Trump’s “America First” focus and campaign statements calling for a “Muslim ban” backed by subsequent orders attempting to limit travel to the U.S. from several Muslim-majority countries. Muslim countries must not forget that the US and the West have been instrumental in stoking conflicts between the Muslim countries, and Iran-Iraq war was a case in point. Saudi Arabia and Iran support rival proxy forces in conflicts throughout the region, including in the two significant civil wars in Yemen and in Syria, where the embattled forces of President Bashar al-Assad are backed by Tehran and Moscow. Mike Pregent, a Hudson Institute adjunct fellow, said: “Going to Riyadh is a big symbolic gesture to Iran. The attempt to forge new alliances among anti-Iran regional powers is occurring because the biggest threat they see after ISIS (Islamic State is Iran.”
During the last two years, Yemen has descended into conflicts between several different groups, bringing the country to the brink of civil war. The conflict between the Houthis and the government was seen as part of a regional power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which shares a long border with Yemen. It was because of their power games and the shenanigans of the US and the west that Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP) and Islamic State (IS) benefited from the ongoing civil war in Yemen. Iran and Saudi Arabia should understand that AQAP, because of its technical expertise and global reach, and IS militants’ outreach and ferocity can harm both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, Pakistan should tread carefully. Of course, Pakistan is committed to protect the holy places, but should not be a part of the great game which could further divide the Muslim world.