Analyzing Trump's Middle East Visit: Impact On Arab-Israeli Relations

Viktoria Ivanova

6 min read

Post on May 18, 2025

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Trump's Approach to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Emphasis on the "Deal of the Century":

Donald Trump's administration, spearheaded by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, heavily promoted the "Deal of the Century," a proposed peace plan aiming to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This plan included proposals for potential borders, the status of Jerusalem, and solutions for Palestinian refugees.

• Strengths: The plan attempted to address long-standing issues holistically. Some viewed it as a serious attempt at brokering a deal, pushing both sides to the negotiating table.
• Weaknesses: The plan heavily favored Israel, ignoring many core Palestinian demands, including the right of return for refugees and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. This led to widespread rejection from the Palestinian Authority.
• Palestinian Criticisms: The Palestinians viewed the "Deal of the Century" as biased and unfair, accusing the Trump administration of ignoring Palestinian self-determination. The plan failed to address key Palestinian grievances related to settlements, borders, and Jerusalem's status.
• Israeli Acceptance/Reservations: While Israel expressed some interest, there were significant reservations and disagreements about specific aspects, even within the Israeli government itself.

Keywords: Trump peace plan, Deal of the Century, Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Jared Kushner.

Shifting Alliances and Regional Dynamics:

Trump's policies significantly altered the regional landscape, particularly impacting the relationship between Israel and several Arab nations. This shift was most notably demonstrated by the Abraham Accords.

• Abraham Accords: The normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations (UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan) were a significant diplomatic achievement, although they did not directly address the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Impact on Regional Security: The Accords led to enhanced regional security cooperation on certain fronts, but didn't necessarily alleviate tensions related to the Palestinian issue or Iran's influence.
• Changes in Alliances: The Accords signified a re-alignment of alliances in the region, with some Arab nations prioritizing pragmatic economic and security ties with Israel over the Palestinian cause.
• Role of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States: Saudi Arabia, while not directly involved in the initial accords, played a significant behind-the-scenes role and its future stance remains a key factor in regional stability.

Keywords: Abraham Accords, Arab-Israeli normalization, regional security, Gulf States, Saudi Arabia.

Impact on Iran and its Regional Influence

The Iran Nuclear Deal and Regional Stability:

Trump's controversial withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal, dramatically impacted regional stability and indirectly affected Arab-Israeli relations.

• Increased Tensions with Iran: The withdrawal significantly escalated tensions with Iran, leading to increased military posturing and proxy conflicts.
• Impact on Regional Security: The move destabilized the region further, creating an environment conducive to greater conflict and uncertainty.
• Israel's Stance on the JCPOA: Israel had consistently opposed the JCPOA, viewing it as insufficient to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence. Trump’s withdrawal aligned with Israel's position.
• Role of Regional Allies: The decision to withdraw involved considerable coordination with regional allies, many of whom shared concerns about Iranian influence.

Keywords: Iran nuclear deal, JCPOA, Iran's regional influence, Trump Iran policy.

Counter-Terrorism Strategies and Their Ramifications:

Trump's counter-terrorism strategies in the Middle East had varying impacts on Arab-Israeli relationships.

• US Military Presence: The continued US military presence in the region played a role in deterring some extremist groups but also fueled resentment in certain quarters.
• Cooperation between Israel and Arab nations on counter-terrorism: Increased cooperation in combating terrorism emerged as a shared concern, leading to some intelligence and security collaboration between Israel and certain Arab states.
• Impact on Stability: Although counter-terrorism efforts aimed at creating stability, the success has been inconsistent and the region still faces numerous challenges related to terrorism and extremism.

Keywords: counter-terrorism, regional security, US military presence in the Middle East, regional stability.

Long-Term Consequences and Future Outlook

The Legacy of Trump's Middle East Policy:

Trump's Middle East policy left a complex and lasting legacy.

• Successes: The Abraham Accords represent a significant diplomatic achievement, although their long-term impact remains to be seen.
• Failures: The failure to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the increased regional tensions created by the withdrawal from the JCPOA are significant shortcomings.
• Ongoing Challenges: The Palestinian issue, Iranian influence, and the broader dynamics of regional conflicts continue to pose significant challenges.
• Potential Future Scenarios: Various scenarios are possible, ranging from increased regional stability based on pragmatic partnerships to further escalation of existing conflicts.

Keywords: Trump Middle East legacy, long-term impact, Arab-Israeli conflict resolution.

Biden Administration's Approach and Comparisons:

The Biden administration adopted a different approach to the Middle East compared to Trump's.

• Key policy changes under Biden: Biden rejoined the JCPOA, seeking diplomatic solutions to regional issues, placing greater emphasis on human rights, and attempting to re-engage with the Palestinian Authority.
• Impact on Arab-Israeli relations: While Biden has sought to maintain the progress made through the Abraham Accords, he's also emphasized the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a stance differing from Trump’s approach.
• Continuity and Change: The Biden administration demonstrated both continuity and a significant shift in approach to the region, impacting relations between the US, Israel, and Arab nations differently than during Trump’s presidency.

Keywords: Biden Middle East policy, comparison with Trump, Arab-Israeli relations under Biden.

Conclusion: Trump's Middle East visit profoundly impacted Arab-Israeli relations, leaving behind a complex legacy. While his administration achieved some breakthroughs, like the Abraham Accords, the overall impact on resolving the core Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains debated. Understanding the successes and failures of his approach is crucial to charting a path toward sustainable peace. Further research into the long-term consequences of the Trump Middle East Visit Impact will be crucial for future policy decisions in the region. Therefore, continuing to analyze the nuances of Trump's Middle East policies and their impact on Arab-Israeli relations remains essential for fostering a more peaceful and stable future in the region.