For Donald Trump, the calculus is straightforward and unambiguous. He perceives a world where countries that receive aid from the United States are naturally expected to comply with his directives, answer his calls, and refrain from opposing him on any issue he deems essential. Similarly, nations shielded by the US military from powerful aggressors are presumed to have no right to defy his aspirations, regardless of the cost, as protecting their regimes is a cherished objective deserving the ultimate sacrifice.
Stemming from this unique interpretation of global affairs, Trump dismisses those who urge him to adopt a more measured approach and set the stage before embarking on his dramatic endeavors. In the case of Jordan, Trump views the nation as a steadfast ally, recalling how it activated its air defenses to intercept Iranian missiles targeting Israel. So, why now does it not provide another concession to Israel by integrating a portion of the Palestinian population within its borders?
Trump fails to grasp that during the peak of Israeli-Iranian tensions, Jordan declared its airspace off-limits for missile exchanges between the foes and vowed to intercept any projectiles traversing its territory, prioritizing Jordan’s security over Israel’s. This rationale is sound and unimpeachable, and even in the face of allegations of military collusion with Israel, such charges can be vigorously dismissed. Thus, the US would achieve its objectives, while Jordan would retain its dignity with its populace.
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However, Trump’s current demands disregard the needs of Arab stakeholders entirely, appearing as if he seeks to fulfill his ambitions while publicly shaming them. The American president seeks to inaugurate a new chapter in geopolitical maneuvering that didn’t exist before. Historically, the West safeguarded the regimes of its former colonies in return for alignment with its objectives, particularly during and after the Cold War—a practice conducted quietly and without spectacle.
Yet, the new Trumpian doctrine, nurtured by the Israeli right and influenced by wartime strategists, contends that the Palestinian populace should be displaced with Arab involvement, resettled in Arab cities, funded by the Gulf’s financial surplus. The agenda extends further, envisioning the construction of world-class coastal resorts that rival the French Riviera.
These developments, once completed, would be delivered to Trump, who would then bestow them upon Israel, transforming it into a premier tourist destination with unparalleled allure and a state of peace lauded by its Arab neighbors. This seemingly miraculous resolution to the Palestinian issue would come at minimal cost, bestowing upon Israel an invaluable legacy, while facilitating the fulfillment of prophetic Talmudic visions and the establishment of David’s new kingdom.
What Trump fails to realize, however, is that despite the current frailties within the Arab world, such a dream remains unattainable.
Osama Gharib (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)