In this high-stakes episode, Aparna and Harinda unpack Donald Trump's whirlwind tour through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — a trip that fused geopolitics, tech, and ethics in a way few presidential visits ever have. With over $3.6 trillion in deals touching everything from AI chips to drone sales, and a guest list that included Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang and other top tech CEOs, the visit may mark a new chapter in how global power is negotiated.

We explore how sanctions on Syria were suddenly lifted, why Israel was left out of the conversation, and what it means when the new currency in the Middle East is technology — not oil. As the region pivots toward U.S.-led AI investments and away from China, we debate whether this is a strategic renaissance or an ethical minefield for global tech companies.

Articles of the Week:

• Aparna's Pick: FT – A new Middle East is taking shape

• Harinda's Pick: AP – Trump sanctions ICC over arrest threat

Chapters:
00:00 Geopolitics Meets Geotech
00:48 Contextualizing the Middle East's Tech Landscape
07:37 Big Deals and Their Implications
18:45 The New Currency: Technology Over Oil
19:40 Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle East
21:17 The Absence of Israel: A New Dynamic
23:28 Shifting Narratives: From Israel to Gaza
26:48 Tech Companies as New Soft Power
29:00 Profit vs. Principle: Ethical Dilemmas
32:38 The Relevance of Ethics in Global Business
40:27 Outro

👥 Connect with us:
• Aparna Bhushan on LinkedIn
• Harinda Katugaha on LinkedIn
• Learn more at Rethinkingtech.co

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