MUST-READS

• How Trump’s dealmaker is shaping U.S. foreign policy

  Witkoff has an expanding portfolio that now includes Trump's biggest geopolitical challenge — negotiating a deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as part of a controversial reset of U.S. foreign policy. Trump's cage-rattling agenda — which has shocked European allies — is a keystone of his second term. He'll rely heavily on Witkoff, a billionaire real estate investor and friend for 40 years, to make it happen.

• The Trump Effect: The Potential Impact of the U.S. President on the Saudi Economy

  Any increase in policy interest rates in the United States would make borrowing more expensive at a time when the Saudi public sector is continuing to borrow heavily to fund the ambitious Vision 2030 projects. Also, higher interest rates would raise borrowing costs for individuals and businesses, potentially slowing private consumption and investment, although these links are hard to identify empirically in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Last, in a higher interest rate environment, the dollar, to which the Saudi riyal is pegged, may continue to strengthen, hurting the competitiveness of emerging Saudi sectors, such as tourism.

• One LIV player to receive automatic spot into U.S. Open via new exemption category

  For the first time, top performers on LIV Golf will have direct access to the U.S. Open. Beginning this year, the top player among the top 3 on the LIV individual standings not otherwise eligible will receive an automatic exemption into the U.S. Open at Oakmont. The cutoff point will be May 19, a few weeks after the seventh LIV event of the season. Additionally, the top 10 players from the current LIV standings as of April 7 will be exempt from local qualifying and into the field for the 36-hole final qualifying stage. “The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief competitions officer. “Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously evaluate talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add a new exemption category.”

• Trump says he wants the U.S. to take ownership of the Gaza Strip

  President Trump and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu met Tuesday at the White House where Trump floated the idea of the U.S. taking ownership of the Gaza Strip and redeveloping the territory. During a press conference between the two leaders, Trump said they talked about relocating some 1.8 million Palestinians and leveling the Gaza Strip, which he suggested could become the "Riviera of the Middle East" under U.S. ownership. "We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site," Trump said as Netanyahu looked on. "Level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out, create an economic development."

• Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia Shannon Dolan

  Dr. Shannon Dolan is the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia and a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.  Most recently, she led the management operations of the mission.  For the past three years, she was the U.S. Director of the bilateral Program of Technical Cooperation in Saudi Arabia, leading the interagency team to develop and implement training and advising programs bolstering security, critical infrastructure protection, and counterterrorism efforts in support of U.S national security goals.

• Saudi Oil Giant Aramco Buys Its First U.S. WTI Midland Crude Cargo

  The world’s biggest crude oil exporter, Saudi Aramco, bought this week its first cargo of U.S. WTI Midland, the crude grade which is now part of the dated Brent benchmark, S&P Global Commodity Insights told Reuters. The Saudi oil giant, which is also the world’s biggest oil company, bought the cargo in the Platts window from commodity trader Gunvor. This was Saudi Aramco’s first purchase of WTI crude in the window, Joel Hanley, global director of crude and fuel oil markets at S&P Global Commodity Insights, told Reuters. Aramco, which looks to expand its crude trading business, has already sold WTI. This occurred in February last year.

• Saudi crown prince says kingdom intends to invest $600 billion in U.S. over next 4 years

  Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said Thursday the kingdom wants to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years, comments that came after President Donald Trump earlier put a price tag on returning to the kingdom as his first foreign trip. Trump’s 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia upended a tradition of U.S. presidents first heading to the United Kingdom as their first trip abroad. It also underscored his administration’s close ties to the rulers of the oil-rich Gulf states as his eponymous real estate company has pursued deals across the region as well. “The crown prince affirmed the kingdom’s intention to broaden its investments and trade with the United States over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that,” the report said. The readout did not elaborate on where those investments and trade could be placed. The U.S. in recent years has increasingly pulled away from relying on Saudi oil exports, which once was the bedrock of their relationship for decades. Saudi sovereign wealth funds have taken large stakes in American businesses while also looking at sports as well. .

• Lawsuit alleges U.S. failed to evacuate Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza
  Nine Palestinian Americans sued the U.S. government on Thursday, alleging that it had failed to rescue them or members of their families who were trapped in Gaza where Israel's war has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis. The lawsuit accuses the State Department of discriminating against Americans of Palestinian origin by abandoning them in a war zone and not making the same effort that it would to promptly evacuate and protect Americans of different origins in similar situations.

• U.S. Central Command conducts dozens of airstrikes to eliminate ISIS camps in central Syria

  U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria, Dec. 8. The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, in order to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria. The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s.

• U.S. Special Envoy Lenderking’s Travel to Oman and Saudi Arabia
  In Oman and Saudi Arabia, Special Envoy Lenderking met with counterparts to discuss the need to stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. These attacks continue to endanger the lives of civilian mariners, harm economies in the region and raise barriers to the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance to Yemenis and those in need across the region. The Special Envoy emphasized steps to counter Houthi attacks, including identifying and interdicting illicit goods and weapons from Iran and deterring Houthi cooperation with malign regional and international actors.

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