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Eli Verschleiser
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Could the Mideast Use more ‘Trumpification’?

Eli Verschleiser with Donald Trump 2005
Eli Verschleiser with Donald Trump 2005

Back in 2017, I wrote an article asking whether the Middle East could benefit from some “Trumpification“—a disruption of the status quo by bringing Donald Trump’s bold, deal-making approach to the region’s thorny problems. Fast-forward to 2024, and the question is still worth asking. After all, Trump’s time in office was like a political reality show, and we’re still trying to figure out if the Mideast could use a rerun.

Trump’s Legacy: The Abraham Accords

Trump’s tenure left behind a game-changer: the Abraham Accords. Trump facilitated normalization between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. Who would have thought that Middle East diplomacy would feel like Trump was hosting a cocktail party where Israel and the UAE finally shook hands over canapés?

The Accords shattered decades of entrenched narratives, proving that pragmatism could transcend ideology. Trump discarded the endless pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace as a prerequisite for broader regional cooperation. Instead, he took a “deals first, problems later” approach—kind of like signing a gym membership and figuring out how to cancel it afterward. The result? Arab states saw value in aligning with Israel over shared concerns like Iran’s aggression and trade.

Would ‘Trumpification’ Work in 2024?

Today, Middle East tensions are as high as ever, and President Joe Biden’s approach is more traditional diplomacy first, stern speeches second, actual results…well, TBD. Iran’s nuclear ambitions are back on the front page, and its proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas are still in the “bad neighbors” club. It’s like a never-ending neighborhood dispute, but instead of loud music at 2 a.m., we’re talking ballistic missiles.

Biden’s calls for “proportional responses” are all well and good, but the question remains: could the Middle East benefit from a second dose of Trump-style diplomacy? You know, the kind where the first call is about making a deal, and the second call is asking why the deal isn’t done yet.

Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran

If Trump’s Middle East policy were a reality show, the “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran would have been the season finale cliffhanger. By exiting the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (cue dramatic music) and reinstating sanctions that hit harder than a Black Friday sale, Trump wanted to force Iran back to the negotiating table. His message to Tehran was clear: “It’s my way or the highway.” But instead of folding, Iran just kept digging in.

Recently, Trump’s been doubling down on his hardline stance, like a poker player who won’t quit while he’s ahead. He said at a rally, If you don’t hit Iran first, they’ll hit you.” And if you’re wondering how that works in diplomacy, just imagine the world’s tensest game of dodgeball—except with nuclear weapons.

Eli Verschleiser and Donald Trump

Iran’s Escalation and Regional Consequences

On October 1, 2024, Iran took things to a new level, launching about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Iran claimed it was just “responding in kind,” like a neighbor returning a lawnmower with a few added dings. This marked the first time Iran had directly used such force against Israel, and needless to say, it didn’t go unnoticed.

Trump’s recent comments suggest that if he were back in the Oval Office, his advice to Israel would be, “hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later.” While Biden is calling for proportional responses (you know, like sending a “sternly worded letter” to the UN), Trump’s vision is a little more, shall we say, explosive.

The Iran Question: Strength or Diplomacy?

Would Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy work again? Under his presidency, Iran was certainly feeling the squeeze. But the regime didn’t crumble. Instead, it doubled down, inching closer to developing nuclear capabilities and funding bad actors across the region. It’s like they looked at the sanctions, shrugged, and said, “We’ll take two.”

Biden’s approach has been more diplomatic, which works…as long as the other side is willing to negotiate. Iran, however, seems to have a different playbook—one where diplomacy is just a long lunch break between missile launches. So, would Trump’s “hit first, ask questions later” approach push Iran to back off, or would it lead to an even bigger showdown?

Could a Deal-Maker-in-Chief Revive Talks?

One thing Trump had going for him was his ability to make deals—whether it was a hotel in Vegas or a peace deal in the Middle East. Sure, his tactics weren’t pretty, and the fine print was often more like invisible ink, but the results were hard to ignore. When it came to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Trump basically said, “You’re in or you’re out,” which worked…for everyone except the Palestinians.

If anyone could revive talks in today’s climate, it would probably be someone with Trump’s deal-making mentality: fast, transactional, and not too worried about the details. With tensions between Israel and Iran escalating, it might take a figure like Trump to hammer out something that sticks—even if it’s not perfect.

Conclusion: A Return to ‘Trumpification’?

The Middle East has always been a land of “almost peace” and “temporary ceasefires.” Trump’s tenure showed that shaking things up can sometimes break deadlocks and produce results. The Abraham Accords were a testament to that. But whether the region needs another dose of Trumpification depends on your appetite for bold moves and bigger risks.

As the world watches the latest round of Middle East tensions, maybe it’s time to ask: could the region benefit from Trump-style diplomacy again? The stakes are high, and the risks are real. But one thing’s for sure: under Trump, you knew things wouldn’t stay boring for long.

About the Author
Eli Verschleiser is an American businessman. He is a financier, real estate developer, and investor in commercial real estate projects located primarily throughout the United States. In his Philanthropy, Mr. Verschleiser is a board member of the American Jewish Congress, Co-Founder of Magenu.org, & Chairman of OurPlace, a non-profit organization that provides support, shelter, and counseling for troubled Jewish youth. Mr. Verschleiser is a frequent commentator on political and social services matters. Follow @E_Verschleiser
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