Trump fires slew of pro-Israel officials in America First 'course correction'

The officials being dismissed are all those with previous track records opposing what are shaping up to be Trump’s most significant Middle East endeavours: swiftly lifting sanctions on Syria and negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran. The reshuffle comes after Trump’s landmark visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar last month. In a speech in Riyadh, Trump tore into "interventionists" and American "nation builders". Eric Trager was notified late last month that he would be removed from his position. Trager is an Iran hawk. He also wrote a book criticising the Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar. Unlike previous Middle East directors at the NSC, his influence in the White House was limited. Another notable firing was Merav Ceren, the NSC director for Israel and Iran, in late May (Read more at Middle East Eye).