In this corner of Michigan, Highest percentage of Arab Americans of all U.S. citiesDonald Trump defeated Kamala Harris. Voters in the Arab American and Muslim communities were angry that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris could do little to stop the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
These voters may know something the rest of us don't.
In the Arab world, The word “wasta” A colloquial expression used to describe the use of personal or influential relationships to gain advantage or favor. Men with wasta reward loyalty, value tribe over governing norms, and exchange benefits rather than acting on principles.
Donald Trump is wasteful.
Wasta has great cultural significance in the Middle East. It's no surprise, then, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to call the president-elect and breathlessly congratulate President Trump on his accomplishments. biggest comeback ever.
Not to be outdone, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, then known as Trump, said: He said his kingdom looked forward to “deepening our historic and strategic relationship” with the United States.. Both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister bin Salman understood that the most important event in the Middle East was the election of President Trump. They both know he is unpredictable and unique, with an unparalleled ego and strength to be recognized on the street.
They understand that Trump is not bound by post-World War II norms, international values, or respect for multinational institutions. These are all recent developments in the ancient imperial world and in Biblical history, none of which were particularly beneficial to Middle Easterners.
In other words, both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister bin Salman kissed their new boss's ring for good reason.
President Trump chose Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. First overseas visit as president in 2017. He recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered a military attack on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qasem Soleimani, killing the general in what was later described as this. preemptive strike.
Most notably, it was mediated by Donald Trump. Abraham AccordsThis led to diplomatic and economic normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and several other Arab countries.
To these Dearborn voters, President Trump's policies may seem more likely to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon than continue Joe Biden's ineffectual shuttle diplomacy. If President Trump wants to end the bloodshed, he can. Here's how:
First, let me remind Prime Minister Netanyahu that he is a junior partner in the US-Israel relationship. Trump “I had a bad experience with Bibi.”
In Trump's own words: “The first person to congratulate me was [Biden] Bibi Netanyahu has done more for me than anyone else I've dealt with. …Bibi might have been better off keeping quiet. He made a terrible mistake.”
Even though American tax dollars fund Israel's defense, Prime Minister Netanyahu treats Mr. Biden with near contempt. Biden simply could not stand up to Netanyahu. In Trump's world, Bibi would have to bend the knee.
Second, outgoing President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority. Trump once joked “I'm considering a two-state system and a one-state system, but I prefer the one that suits both parties.” With those words, then-President Trump broke away from decades of bipartisan U.S. foreign policy.
Palestinians were ecstatic, and at various times Mr. Trump and Mr. Abbas developed friendly relations. Just this summer, President Trump posted a letter from the Palestinian leader after the assassination attempt and, not coincidentally, shortly before his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Still, Abbas is in the 19th year of his four-year term. He is old, corrupt, hated, and widely seen as a hindrance to Palestinian aspirations. It would be a good idea for Mr. Trump to force Mr. Abbas to step down.
Third, thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions of Ayatollah Khamenei. The Biden administration micromanaged Israel's response to the October attack on Iran. For now, that chapter is closed. Biden and his national security team checked Israel's war plans against Iran's oil and nuclear facilities, but in doing so escalated Israeli attacks in northern Gaza and southern Lebanon, threatening the lives of millions of civilians. They may have suffered an unprecedented humanitarian nightmare.
Meanwhile, Iran is steadily accelerating its nuclear ambitions. President Trump's unconventional and unpredictable foreign policy could escalate regional conflict or thwart Iran's ambitions. Perhaps Tehran's mullahs would rather remain in power than face an unhinged Israel or an unpredictable Trump.
Fourth, conclude an agreement with the Saudi crown prince. Saudi Arabia is willing to make peace with Israel in exchange for a complete ceasefire with an irreversible path to Palestinian statehood and the release of hostages. Saudi Arabia is expected to further strengthen the deal by opening up its markets, diversifying its economy and finding a special place in Jared Kushner's Affinity Ventures, which was funded by a $2 billion Saudi investment.
Dear voters, you know more about the customs, customs, and culture of the Middle East than most of us. in spite of, muslim banthe anti-immigrant rhetoric and Israeli-American activist Miriam Adelson. Donated $100 million to Trump campaignMichigan's largest Arab-American community resolutely voted for Trump over Harris.
In their view, a selfish American president with an unbridled ego may be the best hope for ending the bloodshed and carving out a future for the Palestinians. The rest of us will find out whether Dearborn's bet was right.
R. David Harden He is a former deputy administrator for USAID's Office of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance. USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission Director. Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama's Special Envoy for Middle East Peace.
