U.S. President Donald Trump's speech in Riyadh on Sunday, in front of leaders from the Arab and Muslim world, was unquestionably transformative. The fact that the speech was the complete antithesis to Barack Obama's speech in Cairo eight years ago enhances its importance and also explains the warm welcome he received from his audience. The speech was special, first and foremost, because of its location and its audience. It was given in the capital of Saudi Arabia, a betrayed ally thrown to the dogs -- or the Iranians -- by Obama. It was given in front of Arab rulers whose very legitimacy to rule Obama had questioned. These were Muslim autocrats who symbolize the old Middle East, the same group Washington leaned on for many decades to establish its presence in the region, until Obama tried to turn his back on them. His delivered a message of respect for the Islamic faith. He voiced support for stability rather than recklessly leaping into the unknown. He concluded with a message of commitment to his allies. At the same time, Trump expressed a determination to combat terrorism and those who inspire it, which he views as the greatest threat to peace in the region and in the entire world. Trump reverted back to the somewhat simplified approach of good versus evil. And as it turns out, evil has an address and it is in Syria (Islamic State and Syrian President Bashar Assad), Tehran, Beirut and Gaza. Unlike Obama's speech in Egypt, Trump's words were not messianic. Back then, Obama's address focused on a vision, or delusion to be exact, of ideological and generational revolution, which, as we know, culminated in the Arab Spring, which led to the collapse of more than a few countries in the region. Trump refrained from lecturing his audience or urging them to adopt democratic, liberal values. He also did not seek to flatter and cajole -- not the critics of Washington's policies toward the Middle East and Israel, and not America's enemies, chief among them Iran. Peace must first come between his allies, Israel and the Arabs, Trump explained, while assuring them he was willing to fight Iran on their behalf. In the eyes of U.S. allies, including Israel, Trump's speech has the power to restore the U.S. to its traditional role in the region -- a country that defends its friends and protects regional stability. However, as with many speeches we have heard before, Trump too will be judged on his actions, not words, and the test still lies ahead.
