Key Takeaways:
- President Donald Trump vowed to be a peacemaker during his second term.
- Despite this, conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, and Ukraine have intensified.
- Trump claimed success for a Gaza ceasefire but failed to push for a lasting solution.
- His administration is involved in military strikes in Yemen and mediation in Ukraine.
- Experts question Trump’s approach to peace, calling it erratic and performance-driven.
A Peacemaker’s Promise Falls Short
When Donald Trump started his second term as president, he promised to be a peacemaker. He even said his greatest legacy would be bringing people together and ending conflicts. But just two months into his presidency, the world is witnessing more violence, not less.
Israel has launched new attacks on Gaza, killing hundreds of people. The U.S. is also involved in military strikes in Yemen. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine are still fighting, even after Trump tried to mediate.
Trump recently took credit for a deal that temporarily stopped Israel’s military operations in Gaza. This deal, which was started by former President Joe Biden, involved swapping some hostages held by Hamas for a ceasefire. However, Israel has now resumed its attacks, and Hamas has refused to extend the truce.
Gaza Conflict Reignites
The situation in Gaza is getting worse. Israeli airstrikes have killed hundreds, according to local health officials. The U.S. has blamed Hamas for the violence, saying the group rejected a proposal to extend the ceasefire.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, tried to negotiate with both sides, but his efforts failed to achieve a lasting peace. Experts say Trump’s approach to diplomacy is inconsistent. Brian Finucane, a former State Department official, explained that Trump likes to take credit for short-term wins but doesn’t put in the work needed for long-term solutions.
Finucane compared Trump’s approach to his first term, when he famously went from threatening North Korea to meeting its leader, Kim Jong Un. “He likes to create drama and then claim victory,” Finucane said.
U.S. Strikes in Yemen
The U.S. has also started attacking Huthi rebels in Yemen. These rebels, supported by Iran, recently attacked shipping in the Red Sea to show solidarity with Palestinians.
The Trump administration says these strikes are necessary to protect global trade and regional security. However, critics worry that this could escalate tensions further.
Ukraine and Russia: No End in Sight
Trump has been trying to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, even speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite his efforts, Russia recently launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.
Some analysts see Trump’s involvement as a positive step, but others doubt his effectiveness. Jennifer Kavanaugh, a military analyst, noted that while Trump’s talks might build confidence, Putin is unlikely to back down easily.
Trump had previously boasted that he could end the Ukraine war in a day. But so far, his promises of peace have not matched the reality on the ground.
Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Peace Efforts
Trump’s aides say he is committed to peace. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “He wants to promote peace.” But experts like Finucane and Sina Toossi disagree. They argue that Trump’s foreign policy is more about performance than genuine diplomacy.
Toossi said, “For Trump, it’s about creating a narrative, not solving problems. He uses the same tactics he did in real estate—escalate conflicts, then strike a deal at the last minute.”
This approach has alarmed some European allies, who fear Trump’s unpredictable style could make things worse.
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s struggles in promoting peace highlight how difficult it is to end long-standing conflicts. Whether it’s Gaza, Yemen, or Ukraine, these issues are deeply rooted in history, politics, and emotion.
While some experts still hold out hope that Trump could achieve something meaningful, others warn that his strategy is too focused on short-term wins rather than long-term solutions.
Final Thoughts
Donald Trump’s promise to be a peacemaker has run into harsh realities. Wars in Gaza, Yemen, and Ukraine show that ending conflicts is far more complex than making deals.
Will Trump eventually succeed in bringing peace? Only time will tell. For now, the world waits as violence continues and diplomacy struggles to keep up.