President Donald Trump delivered an inspirational speech to American service members on Thursday at Al Udeid Air Force Base, praising them as the “tip of the spear” in the battle against the “enemies of civilization.”
Addressing troops at the largest American military installation in the Middle East before departing for the United Arab Emirates, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities in the region and pledged increased support for the U.S. military, including a pay raise through his proposed budget.
“All of you are the tip of the spear, you’re the finest we have, anywhere in the world, you’re the finest we have, you’re the finest anyone has in the fight against the enemies of civilization,” Trump said. “You’re the people that are defeating chaos, combating terror, defending our interests, supporting our allies, securing our homeland, and making America incredibly proud, and you know what, making America great again.”
Trump emphasized his commitment to strengthening the U.S. armed forces, telling the assembled troops that they would see continued investment in military power and equipment.
“You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. That’s the way it is. I said it last night. I said it’s strong. We have the strongest military in the world. It’s not even a contest. We have the best equipment, nobody has equipment like us, nobody has the planes or the missiles or anything else,” he said.
The Daily Wire reports that in a show of support and patriotism, country music singer Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless America” ahead of Trump’s speech, while comedian Theo Von also appeared at the event. Reiterating themes from his earlier remarks in Saudi Arabia, Trump stressed that his foreign policy prioritizes peace through strength.
“As president, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them — but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here,” he told the troops.
The visit came a day after Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani signed a defense agreement, under which Qatar committed to purchasing $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, further solidifying military ties between the two nations.
