Trump's Middle East strategy: Tactics mistaken for strategy

President Donald Trump is reportedly employing a strategy of pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging a withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas disarms and halting attacks on the group. This push is allegedly backed by the dangling carrot of Trump's endorsement in the upcoming Israeli election, a move that Netanyahu reportedly views with skepticism, knowing Israel's unique capability to enforce any agreement against Hamas violations.

The US strategy faces criticism for its reliance on Qatar and Turkey to verify the agreement. Both nations have a history of financial and diplomatic support for Hamas, and have provided sanctuary to members of the designated terrorist organization. This reliance is seen as a tactical misstep, particularly when negotiating with groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria, where victories are often elusive.

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When the president says America controls the strait, Americans look at the evidence: oil is not flowing freely, and gasoline is not below $3 a gallon.

The article contrasts Trump's current approach with his administration's past actions, specifically the 2025 war against Iran. Operation Midnight Hammer, known in Israel as Operation Rising Lion, significantly degraded Iran's nuclear program. At that time, Netanyahu was reportedly coordinating with Trump on unilateral actions against Iran's ballistic missile production, a threat that remains pertinent amid reported shortages of interceptors in the Middle East.

Events have since shifted the equation, with Trump believing that internal Iranian protests signaled the regime's imminent collapse. This belief, coupled with new intelligence, led to a decision, according to Trump's own account, to pursue regime change by targeting Iran's leadership. The article questions whether Trump's current tactics in the Middle East, particularly regarding Gaza, constitute a coherent strategy, or if they are merely a desperate search for a victory that remains elusive.

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Despite historical revisionists who want to blame Israel, this was Trump’s decision, according to the president’s own public account. The operation would never have occurred without his approval.