TRUMP’S shift from power to peacemaker: As the world faces mounting geopolitical tensions—from the Middle East to South Asia—the need for visionary diplomacy is greater than ever.
Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, known for his unconventional foreign policy, now has a unique opportunity: to transition from disruptive dealmaker to global peacemaker. If approached with impartiality and genuine intent, this shift could not only defuse major conflicts but also pave the way for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Iran-Israel: A flashpoint in need of mediation: Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel threaten catastrophic consequences—disrupting oil supplies, triggering refugee flows, and drawing in global powers. Trump’s earlier hardline approach, including withdrawal from the nuclear deal and strict sanctions, isolated Iran but failed to achieve lasting stability. Now, he has an opportunity to shift course by encouraging renewed dialogue, supporting de-escalation, and working with neutral mediators. A balanced approach could help prevent a wider conflict and demonstrate true peacemaking leadership.
Peace in Palestine: The missing piece of the puzzle: While the Abraham Accords were a diplomatic win for Trump, they sidelined the core issue—Palestinian statehood. The unresolved Palestinian question remains central to Middle East unrest. To be seen as a true peacemaker, Trump must adopt a balanced approach that supports both Israel’s security and Palestinian rights to sovereignty and dignity. Without justice for Palestine, lasting peace in the region will remain elusive, and any diplomatic success will be incomplete.
Kashmir: An opportunity for regional stability: Trump’s past offer to mediate the Kashmir conflict reflected awareness of one of South Asia’s most sensitive issues. Though never realized, it signaled potential for diplomatic engagement. With the region still facing militarization and rights violations, renewed efforts are needed. A call for India-Pakistan dialogue, supported by international advocacy and led by a high-profile, neutral figure like Trump, could revive long-stalled peace efforts and contribute to long-term regional stability.
The Nobel path: Not promises, but peace: The Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded for bold promises—it is earned through tangible achievements. If Trump can successfully promote peace in multiple regions plagued by war, oppression, and conflict, he would become a rare American leader to be recognized for peacemaking on a global scale. However, this requires a shift from transactional diplomacy to transformative leadership. Impartiality is essential. Trump’s prior favouritism toward certain actors—particularly Israel—undermined his credibility as a neutral broker. A new approach grounded in fairness and justice could change that perception.
A legacy waiting to be written: In a time when wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions rage on, the world does not need more weapons or walls. It needs bridges of diplomacy, avenues of dialogue, and leaders courageous enough to break with tradition and put people before politics. Trump still holds global influence. If he uses it to mediate conflicts—especially those with longstanding roots and deep human costs—his name could become synonymous not with division, but with resolution.
The opportunity is rare, the stakes are high, and the legacy is waiting to be written. Should Donald Trump pursue peace in Iran, Israel, Kashmir, and Palestine with fairness and determination, he could do what few world leaders have achieved: usher in lasting change across multiple conflict zones—and earn the world’s highest honour for peace.
—The writer is an Islamabad-based broadcast journalist.
(miranimuslim@gmail.com)
