“I’m not a fan of Trump, but if he can truly end the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine without making things worse, I won’t regret my vote for him,” says Bilal, an American of Yemeni descent living in Michigan, in an interview with Sunna Files Website.
Trump’s recent election victory has reignited hopes tied to his promises to end various global conflicts. Yet, reactions across the Arab world remain divided—some are cautiously optimistic about his pledges, while others remain skeptical, recalling a track record marked by controversial policies, false promises, and allegations of bigotry.
Last Tuesday, the Republican candidate Donald Trump declared a “historic victory” over his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, claiming major wins in swing states and Senate support to secure his role as the 47th U.S. president.
This report examines the questions raised by Trump’s victory and his commitment to ending wars, with a focus on conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
Promises vs. Reality: What Hope for Gaza and Lebanon?
Throughout his campaign, Trump repeatedly emphasized his desire for peaceful economic engagement over warfare. In his victory speech, he stated, “Our promises will be our commitments. We will stand by what we pledged.”
While expressing strong support for Israel, he simultaneously urged Israel to cease military operations, promising an end to the Lebanon conflict without providing specifics.
Since his election campaign began, Sunna Files Website has documented a variety of reactions on social media, particularly on platform X (formerly Twitter). Many Palestinians and Lebanese engaged in discussions, posing the question: Will Trump actually work toward ending these ongoing wars?
Dr. Saifuddin Jaradat, a specialist in public law and political science, commented to Sunna Files Website, “It’s too soon to judge Trump’s approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump is known as a dealmaker who can be unpredictable, and he could go in any direction.”
Jaradat continued, “The defeat of Harris and the Democrats is no loss. Biden’s administration oversaw considerable bloodshed in Gaza, and if Harris had won, she would have likely continued the same path.”
A CounterPunch report also touched on this sentiment, stating, “America’s unwavering support for Israel’s wars has tangible costs, including threats to U.S. interests and regional stability.” The report suggested Trump should reconsider Washington’s endorsement of Netanyahu’s policies and distance himself from these conflicts to achieve peace.
Did Arab Americans Support Trump for Change?
Some reports suggest that a number of Arab Americans voted for Trump, hoping he would distance himself from Biden’s policies and reduce U.S. support for Israel’s aggressive actions in Gaza. However, a recent poll indicates that over half of American Muslims voted for Green Party candidate Jill Stein, largely in response to the current administration’s policies in Gaza.
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the U.S., interviews with 1,575 voters showed 53% of American Muslims chose Stein, while Trump received 21% and Harris received 20%.
What Impact Will Trump’s Promises Have on Ukraine?
Trump’s campaign promises to end the Ukraine conflict “immediately” raised significant expectations. He vowed to halt the war without delay, even before his January inauguration.
However, implementing such an ambitious pledge will require Trump to weigh several advisory proposals that encourage freezing the current conflict lines and adjusting Biden’s policy of unconditional support for Ukraine. Reports indicate that Trump’s team has not yet decided on a concrete plan, though a close aide confirmed, “We won’t send American troops to secure peace in Ukraine. Let the Europeans—Poles, Germans, British, and French—take on that role.”
Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized Biden’s approach to Ukraine, warning that it risks triggering a “third world war.” He accused Kyiv of manipulating the U.S. by receiving billions of dollars in weapons aid at no cost.
A Ukrainian newspaper, Gazeta, analyzed this policy shift, quoting the former Ukrainian president, who listed five “red lines” Ukraine must not cross: never compromising its independence, refusing to surrender Russian-controlled territories, avoiding restrictions on its armed forces, and pushing for NATO membership as the only viable path to ending the conflict.
Several American foreign policy analysts expressed skepticism to Sunna Files Website, noting, “Trump’s promises attract support, but their realization depends not just on him as president, but on his appointees for national security, defense, and foreign affairs, as well as the composition of Congress.”
Will Trump Repeat His First-Term Approach?
While opinions differ on Trump’s potential policies in a second term, Dr. Saifuddin Jaradat commented that Trump’s re-election does not mean he will be a “peacemaker.” Jaradat told Sunna Files Website, “Trump may make poor decisions, as he did with Jerusalem and the Golan Heights in his first term. He could, however, pursue a peace deal—though it may not be a good one.”
Trump’s first-term “legacy” includes:
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- The Abraham Accords: Agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, which bolstered Israel’s standing while isolating Iran.
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- The “Deal of the Century”: A plan that saw the U.S. recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a move contrary to prior U.N. resolutions.
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- Relaxed Policies on West Bank Settlements: Trump’s administration did not regard Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal, defying international law.
Iran’s Warnings and the Potential for Regional Conflict Expansion
Iran has warned that ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon could escalate beyond the Middle East. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, cautioned Trump, urging him to abandon his “maximum pressure” policy from his first term.
Araqchi stated on Iranian state television, “If the war spreads, its adverse effects will not be limited to West Asia. Instability and insecurity could extend to other regions.”
Last Tuesday, Trump clarified his position on Iran, stating, “I don’t seek to harm Iran. My conditions are simple: they must not possess nuclear weapons, and I hope for them to be a successful nation.”
During his first term in 2017, Trump pursued a “maximum pressure” strategy, imposing strict sanctions on Iran. In 2018, he withdrew from the nuclear deal and reimposed economic sanctions, escalating tensions.
