As the nee president in the United States takes office, the Middle East and the rest of the planet are preparing for him to stick to his “America First” stance. With regard to significant regional competitors like Doha, Qatar, it is expected that U.S. foreign policy will go through a shift. It’s noteworthy to note that Trump’s first-term Qatar policy was characterized by a combination of tactical objectives and conflicts. Because of their security and economic cooperation, he had close relations with Qatar. However, he also adopted a strong position against the financial support for terrorists Donald Trump urged Doha to improve relations with neighbouring nations and resolve territorial disputes.
In 2017, Saudi Arabia and the other members of its coalition imposed a political and financial blockade on Doha, accusing the country of aiding terrorists and interfering in foreign matters. At first, Trump was tolerant of the Saudi approach.
He called for negotiations and supported the pressure. But as the diplomatic situation worsened, Trump quickly changed his strategy. Trump sought to de-escalate hostilities after realizing the effect on American interests in the area. He called for communication among the Arab nations.
The Al-Ula Settlement the result of his attempts, was reached in January 2021. Relationships between Doha and its neighbours were repaired as a result of the deal. It demonstrated Trump’s capacity to shift from conflict to harmony.
Trump started to recognize Doha’s contribution to dispute resolution and settlement. As a result, he was a great help to the United States in its talks with the Taliban. Doha held crucial peace negotiations as an outsider with close political links to Afghanistan and the United States.
Now that Trump is returning to the White House, focus will shift to his ties with Qatar, an essential partner in the Persian Gulf region. His prior foreign endeavors on regional security, trade relations, and cybersecurity may open the door for more collaboration during his second term. Talks have already been started by U.S. and Qatari officials, indicating a solid future diplomatic alliance.
The region’s geopolitical complexity will also increase under the 47th administration of the United States, as the White House continues to impose restrictions while preserving its armed forces due to Iran’s geographic reach. Trump’s emphasis on opposing Iran could be in line with nations that back Israeli stability, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The group is inclined to seek further normalization agreements, like the Abraham Accords.
Gaza Crisis
The United States and Qatar collaborated in 2019 to reduce hostilities between Israeli army and the Palestine. Both Israelis and Palestinian groups, especially Hamas, have close relations with Doha. As such, it was essential in mediating the conversation between the two parties.
Because of its strong ties to Hamas, Doha holds a special place in the Middle East, something Trump’s government acknowledged. It was a crucial ally in settlement attempts because of its financial support of the Palestinian community.
Israeli assault in the territory of Gaza worsened in November of 2019, killing 34 Palestinian people in two days. Qatar engaged Hamas through diplomatic channels. The Trump team has simultaneously put demands on Israel to pursue a diplomatic conclusion and prevent human losses.
The predicament has also been stabilized by Qatar’s supplies to Gaza, which is made possible by its connections with Palestinian factions. It promoted sympathy for diplomatic initiatives and reduced economic demands on citizens. Trump will probably keep depending on Qatar’s mediation abilities to help bring about truces and humanitarian relief throughout the second term of his presidency. US safety and geopolitical interests in the area were given first priority.
Attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian problem would probably be influenced by Trump’s more comprehensive Middle East policy this time around. His Peace to Prosperity concept ignored the political establishment in favor of financial rewards for Palestinian areas. That could continue to be crucial. Trump’s close connections with Israeli and regional superpowers like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will keep influencing his diplomatic clout, notwithstanding the doubts expressed by Palestinian officials.
