The Unseen Hand: Kushner's Guidance On Trump's Middle East Strategy

Viktoria Ivanova

4 min read

Post on May 10, 2025

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Kushner's Background and Approach to the Middle East

Jared Kushner's appointment as a senior advisor on Middle East policy was notable for his distinct lack of prior diplomatic experience. His approach, however, was characterized by a willingness to deviate from traditional diplomatic norms. This unconventional style, rooted in his family's business background, emphasized deal-making and practical solutions over lengthy negotiations.

• Emphasis on deal-making and unconventional methods: Kushner prioritized achieving tangible results quickly, often bypassing established diplomatic channels.
• Focus on practical solutions rather than traditional diplomatic processes: His approach prioritized concrete actions and agreements over protracted discussions focused on process.
• Building relationships with key players: Kushner cultivated direct relationships with key figures in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership, as well as other regional leaders, facilitating direct communication and negotiation.
• Leveraging his family's business background for negotiations: His experience in real estate and business negotiations informed his strategy, employing a transactional approach to diplomacy.

The Abraham Accords: A Landmark Achievement?

The Abraham Accords, brokered in 2020, stand as a significant achievement during the Trump administration's Middle East policy. Kushner played a central role in their negotiation and implementation. These normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations marked a shift in regional dynamics.

• Normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations: The accords saw the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco formally normalize relations with Israel.
• Kushner's direct engagement with regional leaders: His personal relationships with key leaders were instrumental in overcoming long-standing obstacles.
• Strategic implications and long-term effects of the accords: The accords have fostered increased economic and diplomatic ties, changing the geopolitical landscape of the region.
• Criticisms and counterarguments regarding the accords' sustainability: Critics argue the accords overshadow the unresolved Palestinian issue and lack long-term guarantees for stability.
• Inclusion of relevant keywords: The Abraham Accords, negotiated with Kushner's direct involvement, significantly impacted Israel's relations with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, reshaping the Middle East peace landscape.

Dealing with the Palestinian Issue: Successes and Failures

Kushner's "Peace to Prosperity" economic plan, a key component of the Trump administration's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aimed to stimulate economic growth in the Palestinian territories as a pathway to peace. However, it faced widespread criticism for neglecting core Palestinian demands.

• "Peace to Prosperity" economic plan and its reception: The plan focused heavily on economic incentives but was largely rejected by the Palestinian Authority.
• Criticisms regarding the plan's lack of attention to core Palestinian demands: The plan was criticized for failing to address issues like statehood, borders, and Jerusalem.
• Kushner's relationship with Palestinian leadership: The relationship between Kushner and Palestinian leadership remained strained throughout his tenure.
• Assessment of the lasting impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The plan's failure to secure a breakthrough further complicated the already complex peace process.
• Keywords: The Palestinian peace process remained a major challenge, and Kushner's peace plan, while ambitious, ultimately failed to resolve core issues such as the two-state solution and the status of Jerusalem.

Iran and the Broader Regional Context

Kushner's influence extended beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shaping Trump's policy towards Iran and other regional actors. The withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the implementation of a "maximum pressure" campaign were key aspects of this approach.

• The withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and its implications: The withdrawal significantly altered the regional security landscape.
• Kushner's role in the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran: Kushner played a key role in shaping and implementing this strategy.
• Assessment of the success and failure of this approach: While the strategy aimed to curb Iranian influence, its long-term effectiveness is debated.
• Relationship with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states: Kushner worked to strengthen alliances with key Gulf states to counter Iranian influence.
• Keywords: Kushner's involvement in the decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and the subsequent "maximum pressure campaign" significantly impacted Middle East alliances and regional stability.

Conclusion

Jared Kushner's influence on Trump's Middle East strategy was undeniably significant. His unconventional approach, while producing achievements like the Abraham Accords, also faced substantial criticism regarding the Palestinian issue and broader regional stability. Understanding the nuances of Kushner's Middle East strategy is essential for analyzing the region's ongoing geopolitical developments and the future prospects for peace and stability. To further your understanding of this pivotal period in Middle Eastern politics, delve deeper into the available resources and scholarly analyses on Kushner's role and the lasting impact of the Trump administration's policies. Further research into the Kushner Middle East strategy is highly recommended to fully appreciate the complexities of the situation.