Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Can Donald Trump Bring Peace to the Middle East—or Is It Beyond His Reach?

Donald Trump is back, promising to take on the world's most intractable conflicts with his characteristic bravado. Among his boldest claims: resolving the Middle East’s long-standing turmoil. In his signature style, the former president has pledged to "finish Israel’s Gaza and Lebanon operations quickly" and even claims he could resolve the Ukraine war in just 24 hours. But as Trump prepares to step back onto the global stage, the question remains: can his deal-making prowess succeed where decades of diplomacy have failed?
The Middle East is a region riddled with historic grievances, shifting alliances, and mounting tensions. With Israel entangled in conflicts on multiple fronts—Gaza, Lebanon, and direct skirmishes with Iran—Trump faces a task that has humbled his predecessors. Yet his supporters argue that his first term laid the groundwork for peace through the groundbreaking Abraham Accords.


Trump’s Legacy: The Abraham Accords

It’s impossible to discuss Trump’s Middle East credentials without acknowledging the Abraham Accords. Brokered during his first term, these agreements normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the UAE and Bahrain. Critics dismissed Trump’s unorthodox diplomacy, but the accords represented a rare glimmer of progress in a region often defined by stalemate.

Unlike Biden, who has pursued a more conventional and often reactive approach, Trump has consistently positioned himself as a disruptor. His recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the relocation of the U.S. embassy drew widespread condemnation but solidified his reputation as a staunch ally of Israel. His supporters argue that these bold moves strengthened U.S.-Israel ties while setting the stage for broader regional cooperation.


The Challenges Ahead

However, Trump’s second act won’t be as straightforward. The dynamics in the Middle East have shifted dramatically since his departure from office. Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, has strengthened ties with its once-archrival Iran, a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made the establishment of a Palestinian state a prerequisite for further normalization with Israel—a condition that complicates Trump’s “Israel first” approach.

At the same time, the humanitarian crises in Gaza and southern Lebanon have escalated, fueling public outrage across the Arab world. This anger puts leaders like MBS in a precarious position, balancing their own pragmatic interests with rising pressure from their populations.

Meanwhile, Iran, emboldened by its alliances with Russia and China, is far less vulnerable to U.S. sanctions than it was during Trump’s first term. The “maximum pressure” campaign that Trump implemented to curb Tehran’s ambitions may no longer yield the same results, especially as global energy dynamics have shifted.


Biden’s Escalation vs. Trump’s Restraint

Trump’s critics often deride his impulsiveness, but his record shows a surprising level of restraint in military affairs. Unlike Joe Biden, whose administration has supported prolonged military engagements in Ukraine and elsewhere, Trump did not initiate any new wars during his presidency. His foreign policy was transactional, focused on securing U.S. interests rather than fueling the military-industrial complex.

Biden’s approach, in contrast, has been criticized for escalating conflicts without clear endgames. The prolonged war in Ukraine, the intensification of tensions with China, and a lack of decisive action in the Middle East have led to questions about Washington’s priorities. Critics argue that Biden’s policies enrich defense contractors while doing little to resolve the root causes of these conflicts.

This distinction is central to Trump’s appeal as a peace negotiator. By prioritizing deals over drawn-out military campaigns, Trump could position himself as a leader focused on tangible outcomes rather than perpetual conflict.


A High-Stakes Balancing Act

Yet Trump’s unwavering support for Israel could also become his Achilles’ heel. While his actions have earned him plaudits in Tel Aviv, they risk alienating key Arab allies. Saudi Arabia’s insistence on a Palestinian state underscores the delicate balancing act Trump must perform to maintain regional stability.

Furthermore, Netanyahu’s aggressive policies in Gaza and the West Bank complicate Trump’s path forward. The Israeli prime minister’s hardline stance and domestic challenges make him an unpredictable ally. Trump’s ability to navigate these complexities will be critical in determining whether his Middle East strategy succeeds or falters.


The Verdict

Donald Trump’s return to the global stage comes at a time of heightened volatility in the Middle East. His track record suggests he is uniquely equipped to shake up the status quo, but the challenges he faces are formidable. From Iran’s growing influence to the shifting priorities of Arab states, the path to peace is fraught with obstacles.

Supporters of Trump argue that his transactional approach and disdain for endless wars make him the ideal candidate to broker peace. Critics, however, warn that his bold moves could exacerbate tensions and undermine U.S. credibility in the region.

As Trump prepares to reenter the fray, one thing is certain: the world will be watching. Whether he cements his legacy as a peacemaker or a polarizer remains to be seen. For now, the Middle East remains as unpredictable as ever—its future shaped by leaders, grievances, and a region that defies easy solutions.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
×