The world shrouded by wars, conflicts and multiple rifts, felt a sigh of relief upon first formal telephonic communication between President (elect) Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping on January 17, 2025. Heads of both major powers expressed optimism after this formal conversation. President Donald Trump being sworn today (January 20, 2025) for the second time, expressed his cheerfulness in the words; “I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China. It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together and starting immediately.” Whereas, President Xi Jinping said, he and Trump “attach great importance to mutual interactions and hope for a good start of the China-US relationship” during the second presidential term of President Trump.
Indeed, in the last yearof Trump’s first term as President of United States, there arose serious differences of opinion and exchange of unpleasant statements over the trade and economic relationship between US and China. It was literally known as the economic war or else the beginning of a new cold war between China and US. Similar views were noticed in the statements of Donald Trump during his election campaign, threatening to impose heavy taxes on Chinese imports. Nevertheless, a reconciliatory statement from President Trump is being appreciated at global level with a hope that, next four years will bring an end to the existing wars and conflicts without any new beginning. Ceasefire Agreement between Israel and Hamas is a welcoming gesture from President Trump, despite the fact that Israel has left nothing in Gaza Strip, except dead bodies, injured Palestinians, wreckages of buildings and shortages of food, hospitals and water. Even then, Israel was reluctant to agree for a ceasefire until Prime Minister Netanyahu was forced by President Trump. Despite announcement and ratification of ceasefire deal, Israel is continuing with heaving bombing on innocent Palestinians which question the future of the deal. Unfortunately, Biden Administration has been constantly encouraging and funding Israel for carrying out genocide of Gaza people which question the policy of US and Democrats towards human rights violations; “As Biden leaves with a bloody legacy of genocide to his name”. On the same reasons, Muslim and Arab Americans have not voted for Democratic candidate, Kamala Devi Harris during US Presidential Election-2024. Indeed, had there been seriousness at Whitehouse to broker a ceasefire deal, bring peace “This could have happened sooner. It’s so sad, all those extra lives lost.”
The entire Middle Eastern region is in turmoil where apart from international power play of major powers, there exist intra-state and inter-state conflicts. Three major powers; US, Russia and China are trying to increase their ingress; each opposing the other and causing regional destabilization. Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon are examples of international and regional conspiracies. Israel is being supported by western world to attack any of the regional state with total impunity.
On their part, the Muslim states of Middle East are under strong grip of authoritarian regimes, all being monitored and remotely controlled from Trans-Atlantic power centres. It is questionable that, President Trump will really play a part to stabilize the broader Middle East or use its power to further strengthen Israel by expanding its borders as done in his first term. In his first term, President Trump handed over two strategically significant areas to Israel illegally; a) East Jerusalem (Palestinian land) as capital of Israel and Golan Heights (Syrian land) to Israel through his executive orders in violation of UN resolution 181. The Muslim countries of Middle East didn’t dare to protest even. Though President Trump is confident to bring an end to Russia-Ukraine war, yet the question arise what rational will prevail. Whether, the border areas captured by Russia will be annexed with Russia or returned to Ukraine and what about the NATO membership of the Ukraine. It will be a difficult deal, since both countries have their claims and counter claims over the territories. Trump executive orders may not be acceptable to either state, unlike Middle East. Nevertheless, war must come to an end between Russia and Ukraine since it has caused total destruction in Ukraine on behest of west.
With respect to Trump policies for South Asia, it is widely expected that, he will have a balance foreign policy with respect to India and Pakistan. In his previous term, President Trump had a clear inclination towards India, alienating Pakistan in his foreign, economic policies and above all on strategic and security issues. Nevertheless, Pakistan was instrumental in the deal between US and Afghan Taliban. On the request of Trump, Pakistan pursued Afghan Taliban to negotiate and later inkan agreement; ‘US-Taliban Agreement of February 29, 2020.’ Since President Trump was being opposed by U.S Deep State (Pentagon and CIA), therefore after his term of Presidency, events unfolded contrarily, as envisaged by Trump. US military left behind huge weapons and ammunition in Afghanistan while withdrawing and handed over the power to Taliban without ensuring a broad-based and all inclusive Government at Kabul, as envisioned by Trump. US military deliberately left behind weapons and ammunition of worth $7 billion which is being used by terrorist organizations (TTP and others) against Pakistan ever since 2021.
Unfortunately, Biden Administration and US Deep State remained in covert support of Afghan Taliban Government. On its part, Afghan Taliban Government is abetting TTP and other Terrorist organizations for promoting terrorism in Pakistan. Lately, India joined Afghan Taliban Government in the promotion of terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan desires that, President Trump should review US and UN funding of Afghan Taliban Government and also hold a stocktaking and accountability of the $7 billion US military equipment, left behind (for terrorism) by US Deep State in August 2021. With the determination of doing everything possible “to make the World more peaceful and safe” President Trump is expected to use his influence over Afghan Taliban Government for ending terrorism in Pakistan.
—The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
