Donald Trump’s second term may differ from his first in terms of domestic and global priorities, but for the Middle East, expectations of meaningful change in U.S. policy remain low. A return to the “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran is anticipated, targeting the country’s regional influence through stringent sanctions designed to cripple its economy. During his first term, these sanctions significantly reduced Iran’s oil exports and drove inflation higher, but they failed to achieve regime change or a new nuclear deal. Many analysts predict similar outcomes this time around.  

Saudi Arabia is accelerating its infrastructure transformation with an ambitious vision for the future. In 2024, the Kingdom allocated $17.3 billion to infrastructure development, with spending projected to rise to $21.3 billion by 2025. Central to this transformation are monumental projects that aim to redefine urban development, transportation, and sustainability.

Syria’s prewar economy was a regional hub for trade, energy, and agriculture which accounted for 25% of the GDP which exceeded $60 billion in 2010. Historically, the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Arab world made it a center for merchant trade, particularly through its bustling markets in Aleppo and Damascus. Textiles, food products, and pharmaceuticals were key exports, while trade routes facilitated the flow of goods across the Middle East.

Syria’s interim government, formed after the collapse of the Assad regime, has announced plans to transition to a free-market economy. Led by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and backed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the administration is dismantling decades of state-controlled trade practices.

In the MENA region, leaders reacted to Trump’s win with cautious optimism and pragmatism, signaling both hope for continuity and wariness about Trump’s unpredictability.