by Prof. Eyal Zisser
The Trump administration's efforts to curb Iran's aspirations in the Middle East have enjoyed the support of the region's rulers. Is it any wonder the ayatollahs are losing sleep over the possibility of four more years?
The 2020 US presidential elections are nearing the final stretch and Iran cannot seem to stand the suspense. Last week Washington detected attempts by Tehran to intervene in the elections and undermine Trump's chances to win a second term in office.
Iran has made no secret of its desire to see Trump put of the White House and for good reason. His administration has worked tirelessly to reimpose sanctions on it over its nuclear program, and it has taken other far-reaching steps to put Tehran on the defensive.
These efforts have set Iran's aspirations of regional hegemony back years. Is it any wonder the ayatollahs are losing sleep over the possibility of four more years?
Here, too, Iran is the exception to the rule. Most Middle East countries want to see him remain Trump the White House and the fact that Iran fears him so much is a bonus.
One can argue about his style, but no one can deny Trump credit for the fact that his regional policies have made friends and foes alike take notice. He has restored the US's standing as a major power-player in the Middle East.
There is also no doubt that his crowning achievement is making actual breakthroughs in the Middle East peace process after years in which it was moribund.
His decision to go over the Palestinian Authority head was proven right and regardless of what the future might bring, Trump will go down in history is the American president who brokered three peace agreements between Arab nations and the Jewish state – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan – and presided over the Israel-Lebanon maritime border talks, and more is sure to come.
Effective progress in peacemaking in the Middle East alongside the very effective deterrence gained vis-à-vis Iran have restored stability to the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Spring and therefore they have been welcomed by the region's rulers.
Trump has proven he has a better understaffing of regional realities and unlike his predecessor, President Barack Obama, he didn't try to push western democracy or preach morals in a way that only created an Islamist backlash.
The results of the Nov. 3 elections are for American voters to decide, but Trump's legacy will be felt in the Middle East long after he leaves the White – be it in 2020 or in 2024. His will be a legacy of power and determination, of resorting stability to the region and of proving that the US stands by its allies.
Prof. Eyal Zisser
Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/the-middle-east-favors-trump/
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