- Title: U.S. Middle East policy likely to change after Trump's win
- Date: 9th November 2016
- Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (NOVEMBER 9, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF STREETS IN DAMASCUS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET VARIOUS OF SHARIF SHEHADEH, SYRIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN, AT HIS OFFICE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SHARIF SHEHADEH, SYRIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN, SAYING: "I think that the victory of Trump with his declarations during his campaign ensures that there is a change in the American politics towards the region in the Middle East. Especially that Trump has repeatedly announced that there must be a change in the politics towards the Gulf countries. In addition, he said he is ready to fight terrorism and send troops to fight IS. I think we will see some changes in American politics if Trump's campaign continues after the elections. America is facing terrorism all around the world so it must fight terrorism that is why we say that the American declarations must follow this direction after Trump's win" STREET IN DAMASCUS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAFWAN, RESIDENT OF DAMASCUS, SAYING: "Donald Trump is an economist more than a politician. We hope to see him working on the enhancement of his country's economy. He said 'why fight outside my country, let me work on economy'. I think this idea is good." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SUFIAN, RESIDENT OF DAMASCUS, SAYING: "These elections are a failure. Everyone is against Syrian people and all electoral campaigns benefit the Jewish." VARIOUS OF CARS ON A ROAD
- Embargoed: 24th November 2016 12:12
- Keywords: Syria Trump USA election Damascus Middle East policy
- Location: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
- City: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00157Q5FLZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Syrians in Damascus reacted on Wednesday (November 9) to the shock victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election.
Sharif Shehadeh, Syrian legislator said the victory of Trump was a sign that there would be a change in the U.S. Foreign policy.
"Trump has repeatedly announced that there must be a change in the politics towards the Gulf countries. In addition, he said he is ready to fight terrorism and send troops to fight IS. I think we will see some changes in American politics if Trump's campaign continued after the elections," he said.
But foreign governments are uncertain how much of Trump's rhetoric will be translated into policy because he has frequently made contradictory statements and provided few details of how he would deal with the world.
Trump frequently asserted the United States cannot continue to be the "world's policeman," thus challenging the belief he would support U.S. interventions abroad.
Trump emphasized the financial costs of American military interventions, pointing out during a Republican primary debate that "we've spent $4 trillion trying to topple various people" and "if we spent that $4 trillion in the United States to fix our roads, our bridges...we would've been a lot better off."
In the streets of Damascus, many said Trump is more likely to focus on domestic issues rather than international politics.
"We hope to see him working on the enhancement of his country's economy. He said why to fight outside my country, let me work on economy. I think this idea is good," Safwan, a Damascus resident said.
Others, disillusioned by almost six years of war, were also apathetic.
"Everyone is against Syrian people and all electoral campaigns benefit the Jewish," Sufian, another Damascus resident said.
Syria and Israel have fought three major wars since the establishment of the State of Israel and although efforts have been made from time to time to achieve peace diplomatic relations between the two states have never been established.
During the campaign, Trump won support in Israel with a promise to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which would override decades of international diplomacy that holds that the status of Jerusalem is not finalised until a negotiated settlement is reached between Israel and the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as the capital of their state. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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