President Donald Trump has gotten off to a good start in the Mideast.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman pledged to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years. The United States re-designated the Houthis in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization.
Even before he took office, Trump produced a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that his predecessor couldn't get done in 15 months of trying.
There's still a long way to go.
But this writer is optimistic about Mr. Trump's chances for creating lasting peace and prosperity in this very troubled part of the world that has frustrated so many of America's past presidents.
First, because Trump is a tough, decisive leader.
Neither friends nor foes want to get on his bad side.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toyed with Biden over Gaza like a cat playing with a mouse. Then, in December, President-elect Trump got Netanyahu's attention when told the negotiators, "If these hostages aren't back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East — it will not be good for Hamas or anybody else."
According to an Israeli official, Trump's pressure was "the X-factor."
Reason number two for optimism is because like any good CEO or commander in chief, President Trump knows how to delegate.
He establishes goals, picks the right people, and holds them accountable.
If they perform, great; if not, he finds those who can.
During Trump's first term (2016-2021), this approach produced the Abraham Accords, signed on Sept. 15, 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and three Arab states — Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco.
This time around, the president has picked long-time friend and fellow real estate tycoon Steve Witkoff as his point man for the Mideast.
According to those who have worked with him, the new Mideast special envoy is already delivering results.
Negotiators involved in the Gaza cease-fire negotiations have said it was Wikoff's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem that produced the breakthrough to an agreement. Arab officials present in Qatar where the final deal was reached characterized Witkoff's role as "essential."
President Trump's next priorities for the region include implementing the Gaza agreement, expanding the Abraham Accords, and managing Iran.
Ever the loyal lieutenant, his special envoy will be at the center of these efforts.
Witkoff is spending considerable time in the region to oversee implementation of the cease-fire terms and to bring other Arab states into the Abraham Accords.
In Gaza particularly, Trump is moving in a direction both unexpected and unusual --- his hallmark. He is proposing not just a reconstruction of the region but actual ownership of the strip. Will it be a dominion, possession, territory or even a state in time?
Who knows.
Anyone who has read, "The Art of the Deal," knows the opening gambit is never the final deal. However, Trump is making noises which are extraordinary.
As formidable as those challenges are, neutralizing the threat from Iran will be Trump's toughest test. The Islamic Republic is close to developing a nuclear weapon.
Its aggressive use of proxy forces to attack America and its allies throughout the Mideast remains a very real threat. During Trump's first term, Iranian attacks against oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and Saudi oil infrastructure roiled energy markets.
President Trump has made clear that for his second term, he is looking to reach a deal with Iran. It won't be easy. The Iranians don't compromise unless they must, which means that Trump will have to put significant pressure on Tehran.
Last time he was in office, our nation's commander in chief intiated a "maximum pressure" campaign, one of harsh sanctions on Iran. Additionally, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the then-head of the Republican Guards Corps (IRGC) was assassinated, on Jan. 3, 2020.
The firing of Brian Hook, his Iran hawk from the first term, and appointment to the Pentagon of two senior officials who advocate restraint complicate the task.
Trump still has an ace in the hole, however.
Special Envoy Witfkoff has singled out Qatar and its prime minister as being critical to the success of American diplomacy.
He maintains that Qatar was "enormously helpful" in securing the Gaza cease-fire and that the skills of Prime Minister Mohammed al Thani were "indispensable."
Qatar has the relationships, resources, and track record to be of enormous benefit to President Trump, and Mr. Witkoff knows it.
They hosted the talks between Mike Pompeo and the Taliban that ended America's 18-year involvement in Afghanistan.
Their mediation secured the release of American citizens held hostage in Iran.
And the Gaza agreement would not have happened without Qatar's close relationship with the Israelis and the pressure they exerted on Hamas.
Mr. Witkoff has clearly developed a special relationship with the Qataris that is already showing results and will stand us in good stead moving forward.
As the new administration turns its attention to the unfinished business in the Mideast, America is well-positioned for success.
We have a president who leads, presidential envoys who can deliver, and partners on whom we can count. It is a potent combination, inevitably spreading contagious optimism.
Michael Patrick Flanagan represented the 5th District of Illinois in the historic 104th Congress. He sat on the Committees on the Judiciary, Government Reform and Oversight, and Veterans’ Affairs. Prior to his congressional service, he was commissioned in the United States Army Field Artillery. After leaving Congress, Michael and his firm, Flanagan Consulting LLC, have represented both large and small corporations, organizations, and associations. In 2009, Fmr. Rep. Flanagan entered public service again with the U.S. of State in Iraq as the Senior Rule of Law Adviser on the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Maysan, Iraq. For his work, Michael was awarded the Man of the Year by the Iraqi Courts, the Civilian Service Medal by the U.S. Army and was also given the Individual Distinguished Honor Award. For more of his reports — Click Here Now.
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