Staff Reports
President Joe Biden has ultimately given a nod of approval to a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon set to kick in Wednesday morning. However, it’s hard not to recognize that this turns out to be a significant nod to the past campaign promises made by none other than Donald Trump. While Biden may be taking a victory lap, it was actually Trump who laid the groundwork for peace in the region during his time in office.
Back in the day, Trump made a point of reaching out to Arab and Muslim voters with promises of change, specifically vowing to end the military conflict in Lebanon. Massad Boulos — who some may note is connected to Tiffany Trump — was adamant in assuring the Arab world that Trump’s presidency would focus on peace before he even took office. Meanwhile, Biden appears to be struggling with the butterflies in his political stomach over the same issue.
Lebanon Ceasefire Fulfills Trump Campaign Promise to Arab and Muslim Voters — Before He Takes Office https://t.co/SF08gcgIYk
— Dawn Wildman (@WildmanDawn) November 27, 2024
The saga of Biden’s attempts to secure a ceasefire was anything but smooth. His envoy, Amos Hochstein, had a rather amusing suggestion that Israel should be the one to withdraw, despite Hezbollah being the clear aggressor. Attempting to reverse logic on the battlefield is certainly a bold move, and it’s no surprise it didn’t stick. Only a month ago, Biden’s efforts were slimmed down further after Israel took a decisive action against Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a bold move that Biden’s approach would have likely preserved.
In contrast, the shift in U.S. politics with Trump’s impending arrival in the White House seemed to jolt both Hezbollah and Iran into action. They had a legitimate concern that the Trump administration would turn Israel loose on their forces. Rather than raising a fist, Israel felt more inclined to negotiate knowing that a pro-Israel presidency was looming large. The irony is thick: sometimes it takes a little toughness from the top to encourage cooperation down below.
The real question looming over this ceasefire is whether it will stand the test of time. A lot of that hinges on Iran’s ability to arm Hezbollah for a potential comeback. While Trump has made it clear that he plans to restore sanctions on Iran—dubbed the “Make Iran Broke Again” strategy—the future of the Middle East could hang in the balance. If his tactics prove effective, there’s a glimmer of hope for lasting peace in a region that has seen conflict far too often.
