1️⃣ *Donald Trump* enjoyed a *lavish welcome in Saudi Arabia* as he opened the *first state visit of his second term,* with the *US president eyeing major business deals* even as *progress on the Middle East's hotspots* will likely be *harder to reach.* 🇸🇦 🇺🇸 *Saudi fighter jets escorted Air Force One* as *Trump landed in Riyadh* on Tuesday, the *first stop on a tour of Gulf monarchies* that will also *take him to Qatar* and the *United Arab Emirates.* *Trump pounded his fist in the air* as he *looked out on a military honour guard* with *Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler,* Crown Prince *Mohammed bin Salman,* walking the tarmac to *shake the president's hand.* *Trump will later address an investment forum* expected to be *attended by US business leaders* including his *friend and adviser Elon Musk.* His decision to *bypass traditional Western allies* to *travel first to the Gulf states* underscores their *increasingly crucial geopolitical role* -- along with *his own business relations in the region.*