TRUMP'S SPEECH – AT 12:30 P.M. ET:  President Trump gave a much-anticipated speech on terrorism in Saudi Arabia today.  It was a good speech, although too soft on human rights.  But he got the message across that the Muslim world must do more to fight terrorism, and cannot depend only on the United States.  From Fox: 

President Trump Sunday in a highly-anticipated speech to Muslim leaders during his first foreign trip called for unity between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations in the fight to “stamp out extremism.” 
During his second day of his first trip abroad, Trump’s speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia addressed the leaders of more than 50 Muslim-majority countries to challenge extremism by cutting off the financing of terrorist groups.

Trump announced the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which is committed to prosecuting the financing of terrorism.

“Our goal is a coalition of nations who share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to God,” Trump said.

“We are not here to lecture — we are not here to tell other people how to live, what to do, who to be, or how to worship,” Trump added, noting terrorists must be condemned not rewarded. “Instead, we are here to offer partnership — based on shared interests and values — to pursue a better future for us all.”

The council comprises Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

COMMENT:  The optics from the Saudi trip are excellent, but reality may intervene.  It's one thing to throw a party, another thing to keep the guests committed.  The Muslim world is filled with problems and internal hatreds.  We'll have to judge the success of this trip by its results. 

Meanwhile, the president heads to Israel tomorrow, where things may get a bit bumpy.  Not all Israelis are thrilled with the arms deal with Saudi Arabia.  Although relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia are improving, the Saudis are still seen as an enemy.  There are other problems as well.  We'll see how that phase of the trip plays out.

May 21,  2017