Story perspectives

Trump Urges F-35 Sales to Saudi, Turkey

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:36 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump met Arab leaders on UN sidelines on September 22, 2026.
Trump urged a possible F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Trump appointed Ambassador Tom Barrack as envoy for U.S. policy on Syria and Iraq.
Trump cultivated ties with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara’a, a relationship brokered by Saudi Arabia in 2025.

History

Historical Context

After the 1990-91 Gulf War, the United States imposed sanctions and no-fly zones to contain Iraq. The 1998 Iraq Liberation Act and the 2003 invasion established a U.S. military presence, with $12.5 billion in arms sales to Iraq recorded in 2008. In 2026 President Trump’s UN meeting with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara’a seeks expanded F-35 sales, continuing America’s arms involvement in the region.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump met Arab leaders on UN sidelines on September 22, 2026.
Trump urged a possible F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Trump appointed Ambassador Tom Barrack as envoy for U.S. policy on Syria and Iraq.
Trump cultivated ties with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara’a, a relationship brokered by Saudi Arabia in 2025.

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