Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • Israel-Iran
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Middle East / Trump needs to stop involving himself in Middle East drama
Middle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Yemen

May 29, 2025

Trump needs to stop involving himself in Middle East drama

By Christopher McCallion

President Trump recently visited a number of Persian Gulf countries, amid intense speculation about his administration’s policy toward the Middle East.

If only his policy were to disengage from the region altogether.

Earlier this month, Trump announced that the U.S. had made a deal to halt strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff has continued to engage in talks with Iran toward a nuclear deal, while disagreements over the issue have roiled Trump’s Cabinet and the Pentagon. The president also announced that he would lift sanctions on Syria and met with its new de facto leader Ahmed al-Shara, a former al-Qaeda militant.

Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to raze and occupy Gaza, permanently displacing its 2 million Palestinian inhabitants. Trump has previously suggested that the U.S. will “take over Gaza” and has suggested that its Palestinian residents be “cleaned out.”

Read at The Hill

Author

Photo of Chris McCallion

Christopher
McCallion

Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Israel‑Iran

America’s relationship with Israel is a moral hazard

By William Walldorf

August 26, 2025

op-edSyria, Middle East

Trump’s Syria gamble

By Daniel DePetris

August 22, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

The U.S. must stop enabling Israel’s destruction of Gaza

By Rosemary Kelanic

August 14, 2025

op-edAfghanistan, China, Middle East, Russia

Washington shouldn’t fear Russia and China seeking influence in Afghanistan

By Lyle Goldstein

August 9, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Grand strategy, Israel

The Trump Administration’s Lebanon Quandary

By Daniel DePetris

August 7, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

U.K., France Recognize Palestinian State—Will it Matter?

Featuring Daniel DePetris

August 5, 2025

Events on Middle East

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

Past Virtual Event: U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved