Trump's abrupt change of plans in the Middle East shocks observers

Saudi Arabia revoked U.S. access to its military bases for "Project Freedom," President Donald Trump's operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz and counter Iranian threats, prompting Trump to abruptly reverse course Tuesday.

A call between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman failed to resolve the dispute, forcing the administration to pause the operation to restore military access to critical airspace.

The move came after the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act extension faced Democratic and Republican opposition. Speaker Mike Johnson was then forced to accept a short-term FISA extension after the Republican-led effort collapsed.

Political analysts reacted on social media, with commentators criticizing the administration's handling of Gulf state relations and questioning decision-making authority.

Brandon Friedman, a former Obama administration staffer, posted on Bluesky, "Nobody tells Trump what to do. Nobody except Russia. And China. And Iran. And Saudi Arabia."

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