Trump’s Election Victory Credited for Middle East Ceasefire

Trump’s Election Victory Credited for Middle East Ceasefire \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Biden administration achieved a breakthrough by brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, set to begin Wednesday. Amid this diplomatic success, President-elect Donald Trump’s team was kept informed of the negotiations, marking a rare moment of transition coordination. Trump’s allies credit his election win with creating the conditions for peace, while Biden hopes the deal will pave the way for resolving the Gaza conflict and advancing Israel-Saudi normalization efforts.

Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire: Quick Looks

• Ceasefire Details: Biden’s team brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Transition Cooperation: Trump’s incoming administration was kept updated on the negotiations.
• Trump’s Role: His allies argue that his election victory spurred the deal’s success.
• Regional Diplomacy: Biden hopes to leverage the deal to address Gaza and restart Israel-Saudi normalization talks.
• Iran’s Position: Experts suggest Iran’s actions reflect anticipation of Trump’s tougher stance.
• Long-Term Impact: The agreement highlights challenges in stabilizing the region, especially in Gaza.

Deep Look

The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, brokered by the Biden administration and set to take effect Wednesday, represents a significant diplomatic achievement amidst ongoing Middle East turbulence. While the deal marks a rare success for President Joe Biden, it also underscores the influence of the impending Trump presidency, with both teams navigating a complex and often contentious transition.

Ceasefire Negotiations

The agreement, reached after intense negotiations, aims to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia operating in Lebanon. Over 14 months of conflict, exacerbated by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, had heightened regional tensions. Biden’s administration worked tirelessly to forge the ceasefire, viewing it as a critical step toward restoring stability in Lebanon and potentially addressing broader conflicts in the region.

President Biden, in remarks delivered from the Rose Garden, emphasized the significance of the agreement. “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities,” he said, firmly stating that Hezbollah and similar groups “will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.”

Coordination with Trump’s Team

The ceasefire also marks one of the most visible examples of cooperation between the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump team during the transition. Biden’s officials ensured that Trump’s advisers, including Florida Representative Mike Waltz, were kept in the loop throughout the negotiations. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan maintained communication with his counterpart, reflecting a commitment to continuity in U.S. foreign policy.

While Trump’s team did not participate directly in the talks, their awareness of the ceasefire’s terms was deemed critical. “Anything that we will do on this … we won’t do this unless they know what we’re doing,” a senior Biden official stated.

Trump’s Influence

Despite Biden’s leadership in brokering the deal, Trump’s allies were quick to attribute the ceasefire’s success to his electoral victory. Representative Waltz celebrated the agreement as evidence of Trump’s global impact. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” Waltz said, adding that his decisive win sent a “clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated.”

Analysts have also highlighted the role of Iran, Hezbollah’s chief supporter, in approving the ceasefire. Richard Goldberg, a former National Security Council official under Trump, argued that Tehran’s decision to pull back reflects its anticipation of Trump’s more assertive foreign policy. “It’s a combination of Israeli military success and Trump’s election — the ayatollah has no clothes, and he knows we know,” Goldberg said.

Regional Implications

The ceasefire agreement could have far-reaching consequences for the region, particularly in Gaza. White House officials hope the de-escalation in Lebanon will pave the way for renewed diplomatic efforts to address the Gaza conflict. Biden has prioritized engaging regional stakeholders, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, to negotiate an end to the hostilities.

The agreement also revives the possibility of an Israel-Saudi normalization deal, which had been a cornerstone of U.S. Middle East policy under both Trump and Biden. Biden acknowledged that the normalization push, branded the Abraham Accords during Trump’s first term, was nearing fruition before Hamas’ attack disrupted progress. The attack, Biden speculated, was partly motivated by efforts to derail the burgeoning agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Domestic and Political Dynamics

While the ceasefire represents a diplomatic milestone for Biden, it has also become a political flashpoint. Trump’s allies have used the agreement to bolster his image as a global leader, with Waltz and Senator Lindsey Graham praising the incoming administration’s influence. Graham, while acknowledging the Biden team’s hard work, framed the deal as a collaborative effort supported by Trump’s election victory.

Biden’s efforts to maintain open lines of communication with Trump’s team reflect a pragmatic approach to ensuring stability during the transition. However, the president has also emphasized the challenges ahead, particularly in Gaza, where Hamas continues to hold hostages and the conflict remains unresolved.

Iran and Hezbollah

The ceasefire shines a spotlight on Iran’s role in the region. Hezbollah, widely seen as an Iranian proxy, likely required Tehran’s approval to agree to the deal. Experts suggest that Iran’s decision reflects strategic considerations, as it prepares for a potentially confrontational relationship with a Trump-led administration.

Waltz underscored this point in his statements, warning that the U.S. would not tolerate Iran’s support for terrorism. “The Iran regime is the root cause of the chaos and terror unleashed across the region,” he said, adding that the ceasefire does not signal a softening of U.S. resolve.

Looking Forward

Despite the progress represented by the ceasefire, challenges remain. The ongoing war in Gaza continues to dominate the regional agenda, and efforts to secure an Israel-Saudi normalization deal face significant hurdles. Biden has called for sustained international engagement, expressing hope that the Lebanon ceasefire could serve as a stepping stone toward broader peace.

As Biden prepares to leave office, his administration’s achievements in the Middle East will be closely scrutinized, particularly as Trump assumes power in January. The transition underscores the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, where bipartisan coordination is critical but often fraught with political tension.

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