Editor’s note: The views expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily those of The Costa Rica Star, its advertisers, or its staff. 

By Britt Nelson

On his first trip abroad President Donald Trump sure had the entire world’s attention Sunday, including all the terrorists, when he addressed 55 leaders of Muslim-majority counties, representing more than 1.5 billion Muslims — at a golden palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — and he told them in no uncertain terms that the rogue ideology of Muslim “extremism” in all its forms must end.

BRAVO to President Trump. He gave a profound, inspiring speech in the heart of Islam with a central theme to wipe out terrorism. The ripples from this speech may create a tsunami for ISIS and the other extremists. Those inside the elaborate room hung on every word the president said. Their faces were serious and somber. There was no laughter, snide looks or winks – they all listened – nobody fell asleep and nobody was looking at a smart phone. This was President Trump’s finest speech devoid of any name calling or useless controversy. It was an in-your-face-no-nonsense-plea for Arab unity to stop the extremists so future generations would be free. Let the rebuilding of once great cities like Allepo, Syria begin — was President Trump’s massage to the Middle East.

President Trump spoke for about 30 minutes and he received a rousing round of applause from a usually tame and unemotional group — here are some highlights: “It’s the beginning of the end for terrorists” … “Few nations have been spared from the reach of extremists” … “fanatical violence in the name of religion” … “It is a tragedy of epic proportions” … “This is a battle between good and evil” … “The path to peace begins right here” … “Drive them out of your Holy Land” … “Drive them out of your mosques” … “Let them find no sanctuary on your soil” … “There can be no tolerating it, no ignoring it” … “Terrorists don’t worship God, they worship death.”

During President Trump’s introduction by Saudi King Salman, Iran was singled out as a chief sponsor of terrorism throughout the world. The King urged other countries to stop dealing with Iran and cut off all trade. Iran did not attend the Arab Summit, however, their ‘voters’ just last week re-elected the same extremist regime that claims to be “moderate” while they still demand the destruction of Israel.

Later Sunday, President Trump attended the ceremonial grand opening of a new anti-terrorism center in Riyadh — charged with the sole purpose of fighting radical Islamic extremism throughout the Middle East by strangling their finances and cutting them off the internet. All 55 countries attending the Arab Summit have signed an agreement — along with President Trump — in a show of unity and support for the mission of the new counter-terror agency.

With Saudi Arabia, President Trump also inked a deal to sell this Arab nation $110 billion worth of hard-core military arms and supplies. This is not your usual giveaway program. Saudi Arabia, undoubtedly a rich country, is paying the U.S. and at the same time creating couple-hundred-thousand new jobs in America, according to news reports. Good move Mr. President.

Throughout the live TV coverage of President Trump’s visit the Saudis showed President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump — as well as Trump’s team — a high degree of respect from the moment they stepped off Air Force One until they left for Israel, Rome, Sicily and Brussels. The president looked quite at ease walking within those marble and gold palaces of Saudi Arabia with their King Salman. This is his world.

By the way, there were no signs of any anti-Trump protesters anywhere because there are no ‘snowflakes’ in Saudi Arabia. There are no copies of the New York Times available on the streets of Riyadh.

About the Author

Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.