The Quiet Hand Of Jared Kushner In Shaping Trump's Middle East Strategy

Mei Lin

5 min read

Post on May 10, 2025

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Jared Kushner, son-in-law to former President Donald Trump, played a surprisingly prominent role in shaping the administration's Middle East policy. While often operating behind the scenes, his influence on key initiatives, from the Abraham Accords to the broader "Deal of the Century" peace negotiations, cannot be ignored. This article delves into Kushner's involvement, examining his contributions and their lasting effects on the region's geopolitical landscape. We will analyze his key strategies, the successes and failures, and the lasting legacy of his involvement in the Trump Middle East strategy.

Kushner's Role in the Abraham Accords

Negotiating Peace Deals

Jared Kushner's direct involvement in the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, was pivotal. His efforts involved extensive behind-the-scenes diplomacy, shuttle diplomacy, and high-level negotiations with key players. Kushner leveraged his personal relationships and a unique approach, prioritizing pragmatic solutions over traditional diplomatic processes. He focused on shared interests, including security concerns and economic opportunities, to build consensus amongst previously adversarial nations.

• Countries involved: The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan all signed normalization agreements with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords.
• Unique Diplomatic Strategies: Kushner prioritized direct engagement with leaders, bypassing established diplomatic channels in some instances. He emphasized the potential for mutual economic benefits stemming from normalization. This approach contrasted with previous, more protracted peace processes.
• Criticism and Skepticism: Critics argued that the Accords neglected the Palestinian issue, and some questioned the long-term sustainability of agreements reached without addressing underlying regional conflicts. Concerns remain about the potential impact on the Palestinian peace process.

Long-Term Impact and Criticisms

The long-term implications of the Abraham Accords remain to be seen.

• Potential Benefits: Increased regional trade and cooperation, enhanced security collaboration, and a potential shift in regional power dynamics are potential benefits. The accords opened doors for increased tourism and investment.
• Potential Drawbacks: The agreements' impact on the Palestinian cause remains a major point of contention. Critics argue the accords sidelined the Palestinian peace process and solidified Israel's regional dominance. The long-term stability of the agreements depends on a broader resolution of regional conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Expert Opinions: Experts hold diverse views on the sustainability of the Abraham Accords, with some highlighting the importance of sustained economic and security cooperation, while others express concern about unresolved underlying tensions that could jeopardize the agreements.

Kushner's Proposed "Deal of the Century"

Key Proposals and Objectives

Kushner's "Deal of the Century," a comprehensive peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aimed to create a two-state solution. The plan included substantial economic incentives for the Palestinians, along with territorial concessions from Israel. However, it was met with significant resistance from the Palestinian Authority.

• Key Provisions: The plan offered a four-year, $50 billion economic investment plan for the Palestinians contingent on certain political reforms and security guarantees. Territorial concessions were proposed, but fell short of Palestinian demands for a contiguous state.
• Intended Goals: The plan aimed to achieve a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on mutual recognition, compromise, and economic development.
• Reactions: The plan was largely rejected by the Palestinian Authority, who viewed it as biased toward Israeli interests and failing to address their core demands, including the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the status of Jerusalem.

Failures and Shortcomings

The "Deal of the Century" ultimately failed to gain traction and achieve its objectives due to several factors:

• Lack of Palestinian Support: The plan's rejection by the Palestinian Authority and the widespread perception of its imbalance effectively doomed its chances of success.
• Israeli Settlements: The plan did not adequately address the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a major obstacle to peace.
• Political Climate: The deeply polarized political climate, both within Israel and the Palestinian territories, created an environment unsuited for compromise.

Kushner's Relationship with Key Regional Leaders

Building Relationships

Kushner cultivated personal relationships with several key Middle Eastern leaders. These relationships played a significant role in his negotiation strategies.

• Key Leaders: Kushner built rapport with leaders like Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia, Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority.
• Impact on Negotiations: His personal connections facilitated direct communication and helped to overcome traditional diplomatic barriers. However, critics argue that this reliance on personal relationships may have bypassed essential diplomatic processes and ignored critical stakeholders.

Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy

Kushner's actions significantly impacted U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. His approach differed from previous administrations by focusing on direct engagement and pragmatic solutions.

• Shifts in U.S. Foreign Policy: The Trump administration, influenced by Kushner, shifted its approach from traditional mediation to a more transactional model, prioritizing specific deals over broader diplomatic frameworks.
• Comparison with Previous Administrations: His approach differed significantly from the more conventional diplomatic strategies employed by previous administrations, which often emphasized a multilateral approach and involved extensive consultations with regional actors.

Conclusion

Jared Kushner's influence on Trump's Middle East policy was substantial, despite often operating behind the scenes. His initiatives, the Abraham Accords and the "Deal of the Century," reflect a unique approach to peacemaking that prioritized pragmatic solutions and direct engagement with regional leaders. While the Abraham Accords achieved some success in normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, the "Deal of the Century" failed due to a lack of Palestinian support and broader regional challenges. To understand the full complexities of the Trump administration's Middle East policy, one must consider Kushner's quiet yet significant contributions and their lasting implications. To learn more about the lasting impact of Jared Kushner's Middle East policies, delve deeper into the available resources and join the conversation on the future of peace negotiations in the region.