Unusual Paragon of the US President's Foreign Policy by the New York Times • A comprehensive article reviewing his work in our region and claiming that it "brought proven achievements"
US administration policy in the Middle East is far from being a major issue in the presidential election campaign.
But a few weeks before the New York Times polls opened, President Trump's policy in the region has been scrutinized in recent years, and even the reputed newspaper - which generally opposes the Republican president - admitted that Trump has made quite a few achievements.
Among the other steps taken by Trump, the newspaper listed the relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem, the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran, the assassination of Revolutionary Guards chief Hassan Suleimani and the mediation of agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
"Over and over again in the Middle East, where explosives have tarnished or battered the legacy of presidents in the past, President Trump has trampled on conventional thinking, promoting major policy goals and campaign promises in ways that experts have warned could lead to an explosion," the Times wrote.
"Not only did the disasters he foresaw not become a reality, but in many cases his policies yielded proven achievements."
The newspaper emphasized that the "bold moves often caused damage as well," mentioning, among other things, the renewal of the Iranian nuclear project and the deadlock in contacts between Israel and the Palestinians.
"Trump approached the region more like a businessman than a politician," the Times explained.
"Unusually, this random, business-like approach has borne fruit, where a more strategic and diplomatic approach has failed."
The president's senior adviser, Jared Kushner, who also serves as one of the Middle East's policy leaders, said in an interview that the administration aims to produce "basic stability" in the region, among other things by promoting the recognition of Arab countries in Israel.
"The president has taken a pragmatic approach," Kushner declared.
The Times described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as "Trump's biggest failure," but at the same time acknowledged that it was there that he may have left the "most lasting mark," noting the relocation of the embassy to Jerusalem, a move that many see as irreversible. When the flames they predicted did not materialize. "
"We acted quickly and opportunistically," said US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
Kushner, for his part, is unmoved by the continued refusal of the Palestinians, claiming that they "will continue to be tough, as long as they have the resources."
As for Iran, Trump's son-in-law is optimistic: "The table is set - Iran is currently in bankruptcy. The goal here is not to try to reach a deal, but to set the table for a good deal."