Global Outlook

  Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents the first pillar of his Middle East strategy, diverging sharply from traditional approaches. Crafted by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the plan aimed to retain a two-state solution but with significant restrictions on a potential Palestinian state. It allowed Israel to annex parts of the West Bank and maintain control over security and borders, leaving the envisioned Palestinian entity largely demilitarized. While the proposal included a $50 billion economic incentive package, it was criticized for ignoring long-standing requisites for Palestinian sovereignty, favoring economic stability over political independence. Trump’s approach demonstrated a shift from previous peace initiatives, focusing on incentives rather than direct negotiations on statehood. Economic Incentives Over Political Independence The economic incentives woven into the “Deal of the Century” are central to Trump’s pragmatic ...