Trump’s Unconventional Diplomacy Examined
During a recent appearance on MS NOW, Jonathan Geyer, the program director at the Institute for Global Affairs, discussed how the Washington establishment could gain insights from Donald Trump’s unique approach to foreign policy.
“There’s definitely something to learn from how Trump shook up traditional diplomacy,” Geyer emphasized. “If you look at his team—people like Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff—they might not have the typical experience, but they actually get things done. Take the Gaza ceasefire, for example. Despite the tragic loss of over 400 Palestinians due to Israeli actions, President Biden’s efforts didn’t yield results. I believe there’s value in examining Trump’s unconventional tactics, though, I acknowledge there are significant risks as well.”
MS NOW host Katherine Rampel raised concerns, questioning whether Kushner and Witkoff were genuinely working in the national interest or focused more on personal gains.
“These kinds of conflicts of interest are troubling,” she said. “There’s a real danger in allowing that to happen, especially when it comes to American interests.” Geyer acknowledged, “They’re willing to engage with Hamas and shift positions on Syria and Yemen without following standard protocols. However, there might be some benefits to such a break from convention.”
Elise Jordan, another host on MS NOW, highlighted the Trump administration’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that the terms offered to Ukraine were quite extreme.
Geyer conceded that while Trump’s methods have flaws, getting both parties to engage is a constructive step.
“Biden hasn’t managed to bring these sides together, but drawing clear boundaries with President Putin might lead to progress,” he suggested. “This is just the start; tough diplomacy is required to navigate these waters, and talking to Russia is an essential first step.”
Other panelists voiced their concerns regarding the broader implications of the administration’s foreign policy, citing recent military actions.
Despite the discussion’s mixed reviews, Geyer insisted that while cowboy diplomacy can be fraught with risks, it’s also important to recognize the achievements of the Trump presidency.
In a move to further diplomatic efforts, President Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at his Mar-a-Lago estate this Sunday, amid ongoing challenges in reaching a peace agreement with Russia.
