Posted on 10/13/2025 5:09:15 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Trump’s unorthodox mix of pressure, power, and pragmatism shattered old diplomatic molds—delivering a rare moment of calm to the world’s most combustible region.
What did Donald Trump do differently to obtain at least temporary calm in the Middle East compared to the failed efforts of past administrations, foreign powers, and the United Nations? Let us count ten different approaches.
1. Trump curtailed a considerable amount of Iranian oil income and its dispersal. He stopped, for the near future, the Iranian effort to build a bomb. Trump also allowed Israel to destroy Tehran’s air defenses, humiliate it militarily, and eliminate many of its top military officers and nuclear physicists. Thus, Israel’s half-century-long worries about Iranian nukes were addressed. At the same time, its stature as a military power soared to an all-time high—even if it became more isolated politically. Israel became more confident but also more sensitive to past, current, and future American military and political support—or pressure.
2. Trump allowed Netanyahu to destroy Hamas, cripple Hezbollah, and retaliate at will against the Houthis. That liberation led to general dejection among Israel’s enemies and a resurgence in Netanyahu’s own political fortunes. And that rise of Israel and the collapse of the Iranian terrorist network—the “ring of fire”— explain the greater chances for a ceasefire and possibly a peace. Trump allowed no daylight between Israel and the U.S., which, under the Biden administration, may have sent the wrong signals to Hamas prior to October 7.
So there is now no terrorist Palestinian leader, such as a Yasser Arafat or an all-powerful Hamas killer, to sandbag negotiations. Instead, Trump involved a number of self-interested surrogate Arab officials who have the money and influence to rebuild Gaza and restore calm on their own terms. Trump and Israel are not just negotiating from positions
(Excerpt) Read more at amgreatness.com ...
The college protesters don’t seem very happy.
VDH ping
Cue District Court Judge Iwannabebig who will issue a ruling that by negotiating the release of the hostages Trump has proven himself to be a bad bad person and he must return the hostages to captivity until a Democrat can free them.
They’re never happy. They would bitch if they were given everything they protest for. It’s best just to ignore them.
The college protesters are attempting to play the game that is over. The Palestine they so keenly believe in is no more.
President Trump outlined to the Knesset what is coming. The old men who remain in Palestine are out on their asses. They no longer control. If they are nice, they may get paid positions from which they may watch the creation of a new and as yet unnamed country
To repeat. The old game that was played for years and years is over. President Trump declared to day that the new game is securely in place and defined the players.
9. At this 11th hour, Hamas was reminded that it has no real alternatives—as the rubble of Gaza attests. Trump signaled to Israel that it could and can still go medieval on Hamas and its remnants should they resume terrorism. Otherwise, Gaza remains a bombed-out wreck. Qatar will be pressured to kick out its conniving Hamas billionaires. The result is a stark choice: any Hamas attempt to rebuild its terrorist networks will ensure that it—and everything around it—will be moonscaped. Trump made it clear there are now no more sacred cows in the Middle East, no more safe spaces, and no more off-limits targets—juxtaposed to numerous win-win incentives that can lead to prosperity and security.
Very good analysis by the Prof about President Trump's latest peace plan - and the tangible results that will be expected.
FR Index of his articles: Victor Davis Hanson on FR
Town Hall: Victor Davis Hanson on Town Hall
American Greatness: Victor Davis Hanson on American Greatness
His website: Victor Davis Hanson The Sword of Perseus
One of his sponsors' website: The Daily Signal
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Great article!
But even with that, I would take Trump over Reagan right now.
As I have said on this forum:
Reagan was the Right Man at the Right Time in 1980.
Trump is the Right Man at the Right Time in 2024.
My favorite part of VDH's article. LOL
I was in MBA/grad school during Reagan’s 2nd term and thought no one could ever surpass him & his accomplishments - esp the destruction of the Soviet Union.
That said, when Trump came down the golden escalator and VERY clearly stated we were being invaded on the southern border, something no other politician had the courage to state, I knew he had greatness in him.
Trump has exceeded Reagan and even my expectations in the 9 months since re-elected, in spite of the Deep State and leftwing Communists/RINOs attacks.
In my entire life, I’ve never seen a politician like Trump. I presume I will never see one again… So we better get things done while getting is good.
While Israel was destroying Hamas in Gaza, the campus leftists and other Demonicrats were screaming, “Ceasefire!”
Now that the a ceasefire has occurred, the campus leftists and other Demonicrats are not celebrating (except with the fingers crossed) because, like their Nazi heroes, they were hoping for the extermination of the Jews.
The Enemedia is gritting their teeth in having to report Trump’s peace accomplishment.
Trump made it clear there are now no more sacred cows
Except of course for the biggest of all sacred cows, de Jeus.
Later and more directly -
"Many including past presidents, called him a direct threat to American democracy and supported funding citizens to fight against his actions."
It certainly opens a discussion of how to effectively define a "domestic enemy"
The College protesters are fueled by paid provocateurs. On both sides of course. The Jews push and push, and people see that, and of course the anti-Jews push also. Kids see that Israel is all powerful, so they choose the “weaker side” that their professors support.
It has been said that politics is a strongly and sometimes bitterly fought game that will extend beyond our lifetime; that the scorekeeping can be very subtle and difficult.
Equivocating can make it even more difficult.
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