TRUMP TRUMPS IN SAUDI ARABIA – AT 12:18 P.M. ET:  The president has had a good day in Saudi Arabia.   That nation is not our idea of a democracy, but it's critical to our interests in the Mideast.  From Fox: 

President Trump in Saudi Arabia on Saturday signed a nearly $110 billion arms deal to help the Persian Gulf ally with its military-defense system.

"That was a tremendous day," Trump said after signing the deal with Saudi leader King Salman.

"Tremendous investments in the United States. Hundreds of billions of dollars of investments into the United States and jobs, jobs, jobs."

The White House says the package includes defense equipment and other support to help the Arab nation and the rest of the Gulf region fight again terrorism and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, according to the White House.

Trump during his winning presidential campaign and in the first several months of his presidency has argued the United States can no longer be the world’s police officer and that other nations must become more self-sufficient in efforts to combat terrorism and in protecting themselves against rogue nations like Iran and North Korea. 

COMMENT:  The real challenge on this trip will be to move toward a peace agreement between the Arabs and the Israelis.  Some say it's mission impossible.  We'll find out.

May 20, 2017