Trump Accomplished What Diplomats Could Not

Well, that did not take long! The Middle East has been a quagmire for politicians from around the world who have attempted to use diplomacy to solve century old vendettas. 

Donald Trump came into his second term in office determined to bring stability to the Middle East by building on his accomplishments from his first term. Most politicians who have attempted this in the past have had all the success of a Starbucks kiosk at a Mormon convention. 

Trump approached the problem not as a diplomat but rather as a developer. Mark Halperin, a political analyst, said that diplomats write long memos on diplomatic situations. Trump appoints a person who he believes  can seal the deal. 

Trump appointed Steve Witkoff, a New York developer with no experience in international diplomacy, as his point man in the Ukraine and Gaza wars. The diplomatic community and the New York Times laughed at the appointment. Trump understood that diplomats usually cannot close a deal. They over-analyze and debate issues while lacking experience in reaching agreements. 

Trump understands that you have to blend business and diplomacy. Halperin noted that Trump looked at the Middle East issue as a mixed-use development problem. Trump understood that each player in the region needed something from the US in order to push a settlement to the Palestinian issue. 

Trump has the ability to read people. He understands the pride of the Arab world and their needs that must be met before they can reach a consensus on the Palestinian issue.

Trump also has no fear of failure or criticism. He is willing to take a “swing for the fences” knowing that he might strike out. Most politicians are too cautious to make such dramatic moves because they are fearful of criticism. Halperin notes that criticism of Trump is like a protein shake that gives him energy. 

Trump also understands the art of tactical ambiguity. Keep them guessing about “What will he do?” All the regional players are guessing about what he will do so they know they must show up and participate in the process. Trump has personal relationships with all of the parties because he has regular conversations with each ruler. Can you imagine Kamala having personal relationships with rulers in the Middle East? Yeah, right! 

Trump turned the pages from the State Department diplomats who have failed in their attempts to reach consensus in the Middle East. He has shown enough force to have the respect of the players but he has also shown a willingness to demand concessions from both sides. 

For the past two years, all the Middle East experts have said that Hamas would not release all of the hostages because they needed hostages as a bargaining chip to prevent Israel from invading Gaza again. Trump discounted these experts and their advice when he saw that Hamas had been degraded militarily by the Israeli Army. He pushed the Middle East nations to force Hamas to release the hostages so economic help could transform the area. 

It will take patience to start the rebuilding process and the dismantling of Hamas’ political power. Hopefully, Hamas will recede into the background and the Palestinians can rebuild a new life in Gaza.