This is not the 100-day presidential landmark that Donald Trump would have imagined or hoped for. When it comes to foreign policy, the century by which all new leaders’ impacts are measured has come and gone with barely a whimper.
After 100 days in the Oval Office, Trump wanted to have secured historic, lasting prizes—an end to the war in Gaza, an end to the war in Ukraine, and an end to Iran’s nuclear programme. For a man whose book is called The Art of the Deal, these were all achievements that he boasted of being able to deliver in his first days and weeks.
He wanted to commemorate his second term’s first 100 days by signing at least one such major deal, the kind he has long pursued, even before entering the White House—something befitting the president of the world’s most powerful nation.
As a presidential candidate last year, Trump set timelines for his achievements: He vowed to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, strike a deal with Iran in 60 days, and halt the war in Gaza immediately. Only the latter transpired, and only fleetingly. Today, none of Trump’s targeted belligerents have yet laid down their weapons.
Racking up air miles
In his armoury has been America’s military and economic might. His negotiation tools have been his commentary, both online and in-person, while his soldiers have included his Middle East envoy, personal friend, and fellow property tycoon Steve Witkoff, who has racked up countless air miles flying between capitals.
Witkoff and Trump had hoped to conclude the latter’s first 100 days with a celebratory ‘deal’, but their hopes have collided with regional complexities, calculations, and interests, to say nothing of the negotiating prowess of other states’ representatives, who have experience in this area and are no fools.
Trump’s only high note was in Gaza, when his ally Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire deal, which Israel later broke. Full of bravado, Trump then suggested that Gaza could be drained of Palestinians and made into a real estate “riviera,” to which the Arab world recoiled.
