When President Donald Trump exited the Iran deal during his first term, many, including the New York Times, sounded the alarm. The editorial board warned about potential disasters, suggesting that Trump’s decision could reignite Iran’s nuclear ambitions, strain relationships with European allies, damage American credibility, and possibly lead to a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Fast forward seven years, and in his second term, President Trump has managed to negotiate with Hamas, securing the release of hostages and the remains of those taken during the tragic events of October 7, 2023, which saw 1,200 Israelis killed and 250 abducted. A cease-fire, which hopefully paves the way for a lasting peace, has been endorsed by leaders from Qatar, Turkey, and even Egypt, with support from Gulf states and Iran. Interestingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a nod to the agreement as well.
Former President Joe Biden even acknowledged Trump by name, stating that this agreement built upon efforts from his own administration. He remarked, “The road to this agreement was not easy. My administration took hostages. …Now, with global support, the Middle East is moving towards peace. I hope this lasts for both Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring peace, dignity, and security for all.” This follows Biden’s earlier critiques regarding how his withdrawal from Afghanistan may have emboldened adversaries, particularly Iran, who supports Hamas. Trump has claimed multiple times that the events of October 7 “would never have happened” under his presidency, and there are valid reasons to consider his perspective.
So, how did he achieve this? It’s noteworthy that Biden has decades of foreign policy experience, especially from his long tenure in the Senate, including significant roles on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
What changed? Since October 7, Trump targeted Israel’s adversaries—in this case, Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran. The devastation in Gaza, coupled with Trump’s sanctions on Iran, has severely impacted the nation’s nuclear efforts and led to high unemployment and raging inflation. This pressure has, quite frankly, drawn Hamas back to the negotiating table.
In conclusion, it’s worth considering a different perspective. I once heard a conversation between two professional golfers on a sports channel. The first golfer delved into intricate details about technique: grip, stance, shoulder position, and even the fluidity of one’s swing. It was all very technical.
The second golfer, however, simply stated, “I watch where the ball falls.”
With Trump, critics often fixate on the noise—his insults, bravado, and tweets, which can overshadow his policies. As Trump supporter Sen. John Kennedy noted, he has no “unexpressed thoughts.”
Supporters, on the other hand, concentrate on outcomes: border security, education choices, foreign policy, and other significant issues. At the end of the day, isn’t that what truly matters? The rest just seems like background noise.
Which do you think poses a greater threat to America’s adversaries: a president who perceives “climate change” as the “ultimate threat” or one who makes bold changes in defense policy?
