The American Leader takes great pride in his role in resolving conflicts spanning four separate continents since the start of the year. During a conversation with President Zelenskyy, he encountered pressure from European heads of state to advocate for a cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Addressing these appeals for peace, he stated: “I have intervened and helped conclude six wars… none of these agreements necessitated using the term ‘ceasefire.’” Trump, in a subsequent talk, updated the number of conflicts he has helped end to seven. His administration has been dubbed ‘the President of Peace’ by the White House, referencing seven bilateral peace agreements as justifications.
President Trump’s track-record is marked with instances of exercising American influence to mediate and resolve various international disputes, in line with his predecessors. His recent endeavor includes mediating disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This mediation effort culminated on the 8th of August when he presided over the signing of a joint agreement by the heads of both nations at the White House. This document aimed to resolve long-standing issues related to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The agreement brokered under Trump’s supervision committed both nations to acknowledge and respect each other’s national boundaries, renounce aggression, and inaugurate a new transport passageway. This newly formed conduit, known as the ‘Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity,’ promises to foster better relationships by forging a link between Azerbaijan and Turkey. However, the path to a comprehensive peace treaty remains fraught with intricate negotiations around deeply-rooted constitutional and territorial disputes.
The peace accord faces significant obstacles despite its intent holistically to resolve the issues between both nations. Trump’s involvement in the peace deal added substantial visibility, impetus, and a level of enforceability that was missing from previous mediation attempts, despite the challenges.
In July, skirmishes along the border of Thailand and Cambodia resulted in a loss of at least 38 lives. After issuing a warning of suspending US trade dialogues if the fighting was not halted, both nations conceded and declared an ‘absolute and instant ceasefire’ within a few days of the warning.
In the Iran-Israel conflict, Trump’s assertion of establishing peace after a 12-day long dispute gets complicated given the intricate interplay of American involvement in actions against Tehran’s nuclear aspirations. An unofficial truce is currently in place, however, a potential lingering state of war involving all three countries still remains.
Trump was also involved in mediating tensions between India and Pakistan, which escalated after a harrowing attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. After several days of retaliatory strikes, the US President announced that both nations had agreed to a ‘FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE’, a breakthrough achieved due to US-mediated discussions.
In June, President Trump coordinated peace negotiations between leaders from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Washington. The resultant peace agreement pledged mutual respect for territorial integrity, demobilization of militant groups, and economic collaboration. However, despite this agreement, conflict involving the M23, the Congolese army, and allied militia has continued in the DRC as the rebels seek to expand their control.
The Congo conflict resulted in the displacement and death of thousands of innocent civilians as a direct consequence of the upheaval. In the aftermath of the peace agreement signed in June, reports from Human Rights Watch have highlighted additional atrocities, inclusive of the murders of at least 140 innocents.
While there was not an explicit ‘war’ to be concluded by the President between Egypt and Ethiopia, tensions had been steadily increasing in relation to the River Nile. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam completed this year by Ethiopia was seen as a threat by Egypt, potentially affecting its own water supply from the Nile.
The protracted discord between Egypt and Ethiopia hit a deadlock after 12 years of disagreement, and by late June, Egypt admitted that the negotiations had stagnated. In response, President Trump remarked: ‘If I were Egypt, I’d want the water in the Nile,’ promising a swift resolution. While Egypt appreciated his intervention, Ethiopia held a contrary opinion.
Trump also sought credit for maintaining peace in the turbulent Balkan region. Serbia and Kosovo, with their tumultuous history dating back to the Balkan wars of the 90s, have had a contentious relationship, particularly due to Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.
Although there has been sporadic turbulence and strong disagreements between both nations, especially in the northern part of Kosovo, no protracted combat has been seen in recent years. This has been taken as a success in maintaining peace despite the grave historical disputes.
Balancing the sculpt are the instances where peace deals have not held up or where explicit conflicts did not exist, calling into question the breadth of the President’s influence. Where peace has been achieved, the credit might not entirely belong to the President, as these are complex situations with many moving parts and actors. It’s clear, however, that his administration has been pivotal in engaging with these disputes and using America’s considerable diplomatic weight to inspire dialogue and attempt resolution.
In conclusion, the President of the United States has been a central figure in several international disputes, leveraging and wielding the country’s influence to help steer the world toward peace. His actions and proclamations have certainly influenced global politics and the geopolitical scenario, irrespective of the successes or failures of his efforts. While the measure of his impact may be nuanced, the undeniable fact is that he has catalyzed negotiations and actions in key areas of international discord, and that alone is a significant accomplishment.
The post US President: A Central Figure in Recent Peace Accords appeared first on Real News Now.
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