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IFANS Focus U.S. Middle East Policy under the Second Trump Administration IN Nam-sik Upload Date 2024-12-23 Hits 18192
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1. The Distinctive Nature of Trump’s First-Term Middle East Policy: A Bold and Unilateral Approach
2. The Limitations of the Biden Administration’s Middle East Policy: The Ineffectiveness of Traditional Diplomacy
3. Objectives and Challenges for Trump’s Middle East Policy in His Second Term: Short-Term (Ending Conflicts) and Long-Term (Finalizing the Abraham Accords)
4. The Uncertain Road Ahead: Trump’s Focus on Middle East Diplomacy

1. The Distinctive Nature of Trump’s First-Term Middle East Policy: A Bold and Unilateral Approach


The geopolitical and economic reverberations of President-elect Donald Trump surging back to the White House have been profound, particularly in the realm of U.S. foreign policy. Among the regions affected by the incoming Trump administration, the Middle East stands out as a domain where Trump’s approach broke significantly from tradition. During his first term from 2016 to 2020, Trump pursued an unorthodox approach characterized by bold moves and a distinct departure from established U.S. policy norms, often favoring unilateralism. This approach not only redefined the U.S.’ role in the region but also stirred significant controversy. One of the most notable shifts under Trump was the United States’ pivot away from its traditional role as a neutral mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, the administration adopted a markedly pro-Israel stance, which dramatically reshaped the dynamics of U.S. involvement in the region. The relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018 was a landmark moment, symbolizing a decisive endorsement of Israel’s claims to the city and signaling a clear departure from decades of U.S. policy. Trump’s peace initiative, branded the “Deal of the Century,” exemplified this new approach, and the plan overwhelmingly favored Israeli interests.
During his first term, Trump significantly altered the trajectory of U.S. Middle East policy. One of the most notable decisions was his unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), a landmark nuclear deal painstakingly negotiated in 2015 by the U.S., its P5+1 partners – the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany, and Iran. The reinstated maximum sanctions on Iran, which prompted Tehran to intensify efforts to advance its nuclear capabilities. One of the Trump administration’s most notable achievements in the Middle East was the successful mediation of the Abraham Accords in 2020. This historic agreement normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and four Arab nations - the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Trump’s Middle East diplomacy diverged sharply from the traditional role of the U.S. as an impartial and honest mediator. Unlike previous U.S. administrations, his administration embraced a bold, partisan approach, and unapologetically aligned with Israel and key Gulf states. By prioritizing bold, previously tabooed initiatives, the U.S. under Trump disrupted long-standing norms and reframed the regional dynamics in the Middle East. This unorthodox strategy was not without controversy. Trump’s policies provoked anger among the Arab population, heightening tensions in the region. Despite the increased friction, Trump’s disruptive diplomacy in his first term also brought a sense of cautious optimism for breakthroughs to the Middle East. 

* Attached File #Trump #Iran #MiddleEast #Israel
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IFANS FOCUS 2024-13E(인남식).pdf
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