Trump's Middle East Tour: Winners And Losers In The Region

6 min read Post on May 18, 2025

Trump's Middle East Tour: Winners And Losers In The Region

Israel: A Clear Winner Under Trump's Middle East Policy?

Trump's administration dramatically shifted US foreign policy towards Israel, resulting in significant gains for the nation. This pro-Israel stance became a defining characteristic of the Trump Middle East Tour.

Strengthened US-Israel Alliance

The strategic alliance between the US and Israel deepened considerably under Trump. This was manifested through increased military and financial aid, and unwavering political support on key issues.

Increased military funding: The Trump administration significantly increased military aid to Israel, bolstering its defense capabilities and regional dominance.
Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital: The controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there signaled a significant shift in US policy and provided a major boost to Israel's standing.
Moves against Iran: Trump's hardline stance against Iran aligned perfectly with Israel's security concerns, leading to increased cooperation on containing Iranian influence in the region.

These policies significantly enhanced Israel's regional standing and provided a considerable boost to its security. The increased military aid allowed for advanced defense system acquisitions, furthering its military edge. The recognition of Jerusalem solidified its claim to the city and resonated deeply with the Israeli public.

The Abraham Accords and Regional Normalization

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump administration, represent a landmark achievement in regional diplomacy. Normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, reshaped the geopolitical landscape.

Normalization agreements with UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan: These agreements led to increased trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations, significantly altering the regional power dynamic.
Impact on the Palestinian peace process: Critics argued that the Abraham Accords sidelined the Palestinian peace process, focusing instead on regional normalization without addressing core Palestinian concerns.
Potential for further normalization: The success of the Abraham Accords opened the door for potential future normalization agreements with other Arab nations, further solidifying Israel's regional standing.

While hailed as a success by some, the long-term implications of the Abraham Accords remain to be seen. Their impact on the Palestinian peace process and the broader regional stability requires further analysis.

Palestinian Territories: Significant Losers Amidst Shifting Alliances

The Trump administration's policies significantly impacted the Palestinian territories, leading many to consider them clear losers in the Trump Middle East Tour's aftermath.

Setbacks in the Peace Process

Trump's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was widely criticized for its perceived bias towards Israel and its lack of progress towards a two-state solution.

Closure of PLO offices in Washington: The closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) offices in Washington D.C. significantly hampered diplomatic efforts.
Halting of US aid to Palestinians: The reduction in US aid to the Palestinians exacerbated existing economic and humanitarian challenges.
Shifting US position on settlements: The Trump administration's less critical stance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank further undermined the prospects for a two-state solution.

These actions left the Palestinians feeling abandoned and weakened their negotiating position. The lack of progress towards a two-state solution fueled frustration and deepened the sense of injustice among Palestinians.

Weakened International Support

Trump's policies arguably weakened international support for the Palestinian cause.

Reduced international pressure on Israel: The Trump administration's unwavering support for Israel diminished international pressure for adherence to international law and human rights standards.
Impact on UN resolutions: The US often vetoed UN resolutions critical of Israeli policies, further isolating the Palestinians on the international stage.
Diminished funding for humanitarian aid: Reductions in international aid, partly due to the diminished US support, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories.

The diminished international support severely undermined the Palestinian's ability to advocate for their rights and pursue a viable path to statehood.

Saudi Arabia and Other Gulf States: Navigating a Changing Landscape

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states found themselves navigating a complex relationship with the US under Trump.

Complex Relationship with the US

The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia under Trump was characterized by both cooperation and tension.

Arms sales: The Trump administration approved massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite concerns about human rights abuses.
Concerns about human rights: The Trump administration's comparatively muted response to human rights violations in Saudi Arabia drew criticism from human rights organizations.
Regional security cooperation: Despite the tensions, Saudi Arabia and the US continued to cooperate on regional security issues, particularly regarding Iran.

This complex relationship reflects the balancing act Saudi Arabia had to perform, juggling its strategic partnership with the US with its own domestic and regional concerns.

Competition with Iran

Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran significantly impacted Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

Regional instability: The increased pressure on Iran led to heightened regional instability and increased proxy conflicts.
Economic sanctions: Economic sanctions against Iran had ripple effects throughout the region, impacting trade and investment.
Nuclear ambitions: Concerns about Iran's nuclear program remained a central focus, driving regional security cooperation.

The increased tensions with Iran forced Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States to reassess their regional strategies and strengthen their own defense capabilities.

Iran: Facing Increased Pressure and Isolation

Trump's policies toward Iran resulted in significant pressure and isolation.

Impact of US Sanctions

The US sanctions regime had a crippling impact on Iran's economy.

Economic hardship: Sanctions caused widespread economic hardship, leading to inflation, unemployment, and social unrest.
Political instability: Economic hardship contributed to political instability and increased internal dissent.
Regional actions: In response to sanctions, Iran adopted a more assertive regional policy, increasing tensions with its neighbors.

The sanctions severely hampered Iran's ability to participate in the global economy and weakened its regional influence.

Regional Responses to US Pressure

Iran responded to US pressure through various means.

Escalation of regional tensions: Iran increased its regional activities, exacerbating tensions with its neighbors.
Reactions to sanctions: Iran sought to mitigate the impact of sanctions through various economic and diplomatic strategies.
Diplomatic efforts: Iran engaged in diplomatic efforts to counter the US pressure and seek support from other countries.

Iran's responses were a mix of defiance, adaptation, and diplomacy, reflecting the challenges it faced in dealing with the Trump administration's policies.

Conclusion

Trump's Middle East tour had a profound and lasting impact, significantly reshaping regional alliances and power dynamics. While Israel benefited considerably from strengthened ties and regional normalization deals (the Abraham Accords being a prime example), the Palestinian cause suffered significant setbacks. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States navigated a complex relationship with the US, grappling with Iran's influence and the broader regional implications of Trump's policies. Iran faced increased pressure and isolation, leading to both internal and external challenges. Understanding the winners and losers of Trump's Middle East policies is crucial for navigating the future of the region and predicting future conflicts and cooperation. For deeper insights into the lasting consequences of this pivotal diplomatic era, continue exploring the complexities of the Trump Middle East tour and its impact on the region.