By Duvi Honig
This year, under the framework established by President Donald Trump’s renewed negotiation approach, ambitious efforts were made to reshape the Middle East through strategic incentives aimed at promoting peace, stability, and cooperation between Arab nations and Israel. Each key regional player was offered a carefully tailored incentive designed to align their interests with this vision.
Saudi Arabia was promised advanced capabilities but has instead used its position to avoid meaningful progress toward normalization agreements, focusing on acquiring military assets rather than fostering lasting peace. Similarly, Qatar secured major non-NATO ally status—a significant security advantage—but continues to host Hamas leadership and supports propaganda campaigns that deny Israel’s suffering following the October 7th attacks.
The article further examines Iran’s blatant disregard for regional stability despite America’s reassurances to Arab nations about preventing its rearmament. While the U.S. promised intervention, Iran has steadily rebuilt its missile arsenal, expanded drone production, and supplied Hezbollah with advanced munitions, continuing expansion of capabilities that threaten Israel and allies.
Lebanon received promises regarding disarming Hezbollah but saw little action on this front as UNIFIL reportedly provided intelligence to Hezbollah through filming IDF positions—a betrayal that undermines security. Syria’s supposed rehabilitation is long gone after the failed attempts to imitate an October 7th-style attack, exposing broken promises in diplomatic engagement. And Gaza was promised a peaceful future under Israeli oversight but remains under Hamas rule and preparing for conflict as international commitments fade.
The core of Honig’s piece questions whether America’s initial strategic framework actually enabled adversaries by offering too much without ensuring reciprocal accountability from Arab nations.
The Unraveling of Middle East Peace: A Critique
By Duvi Honig
This year, under the framework established by President Donald Trump’s renewed negotiation approach, ambitious efforts were made to reshape the Mideast through strategic incentives. The goal was peace, stability and cooperation with Israel.
Saudi Arabia received an offer for advanced capabilities but has used its position to avoid meaningful progress toward normalization agreements, instead focusing on acquiring military assets rather than fostering lasting relations.
Qatar secured major non-NATO ally status—a significant security advantage—but continues to host Hamas leadership and supports propaganda campaigns denying the October 7th atrocities committed against them. This directly undermines Western values.
There are no clear promises or assurances from the U.S. administration regarding intervention if these nations refuse to disarm, despite repeated breaches of agreement by countries like Qatar that continue supporting Hamas.
Israel’s military capabilities were not fully utilized due to American diplomatic constraints under the new peace framework. Iran rebuilt its terror infrastructure while the U.S. stood idly by, promising intervention but failing to deliver.
Lebanon received promises regarding disarming Hezbollah and rebuilding Beirut, yet these commitments collapsed as Hezbollah strengthened ties with Tehran.
The international agreement also offered Gaza a chance for peace and development—a Mediterranean Riviera—but instead it became Hamas strongholds repositioned for conflict. The plan to dismantle Hamas has failed entirely, leaving Gazans under its control while preparing command structures for future hostilities.
Despite the initial hope surrounding these agreements, there are no clear consequences or follow-through from U.S. actions when Arab nations break their end of the bargain.
The article raises critical questions about whether America’s approach allowed regional actors to exploit its generosity without accountability.
