In a series of dramatic diplomatic maneuvers, President Donald Trump has thrust the United States into the heart of Middle East peace negotiations, declaring the end of the war in Gaza and unveiling a sweeping strategy to stabilize the region. With the ink barely dry on an executive order pledging to defend Qatar from attack, Trump’s approach has both surprised allies and forced adversaries to reconsider their positions, signaling a new era of American engagement in the Middle East.
On October 10, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that left little room for ambiguity. The order states that if Qatar is attacked, "the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures – including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military." According to reporting by The National and other outlets, this move came in the immediate aftermath of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas officials in Qatar—a strike that prompted an apology from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a promise of no further action in Doha. For many, the order was a clear message: American interests and allies in the region would not be left vulnerable.
Trump’s decision comes against the backdrop of shifting alliances and historic grievances. The Biden administration had already recalibrated the U.S. position by designating Qatar a major non-NATO ally in 2022, a reward for Doha’s support during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. As a result, the strategic calculus surrounding Qatar—and the wider Gulf—has changed. Trump’s announcement, as reported by The National, signals to Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia that the U.S. is prepared to enforce stability in the Gulf, even if that means putting American forces on the line.
This boldness, however, is not just about military might. Trump’s strategy, described by supporters as a “checkmate,” is also about isolating Hamas and forcing all parties to the negotiating table. The political office of Hamas in Qatar, once a symbol of the group’s regional influence, has become “less relevant now,” according to sources close to the administration. By making clear that Hamas must disarm as a prerequisite for any lasting peace, Trump has set the terms for a 20-part peace plan—one that has found surprising support from countries across the Middle East and Europe, including those traditionally divided over Palestinian statehood.
“The war is over. Okay? You understand that?” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he departed for Israel on October 12, 2025, according to coverage by TRT World and other outlets. The president’s confidence was palpable. Asked if the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would hold, he replied, “I think it’s going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It’s been centuries.” The bluntness of his remarks underscored the administration’s belief that the region is at a tipping point, with war-weariness pushing even hardened adversaries toward compromise.
Central to this new diplomatic push is the upcoming Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, scheduled for October 13, 2025. Co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi, the summit aims “to end the war in Gaza, enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and usher in a new phase of regional security and stability,” according to a statement from Cairo. The guest list is a who’s-who of regional power brokers: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, praised by Trump as “fantastic” and “very respected,” will attend at the invitation of Sisi and Trump. Other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Jordan, have all played roles in brokering the ceasefire, according to Trump’s remarks to the press.
“Turkey was fantastic too. President Erdogan was fantastic. He really helped a lot, because he’s very respected. He’s got a very powerful nation. He’s got a very, very powerful military. And he helped a lot,” Trump said, highlighting Ankara’s influence in the region and the importance of multilateral cooperation in securing the ceasefire. The president’s willingness to publicly praise leaders from across the spectrum—from Israel to Turkey to Egypt—reflects a pragmatic approach focused on results rather than ideology.
Yet, the peace process is not without its critics and complications. Some observers have questioned the wisdom of defending Qatar so robustly, given its historical ties to groups like Hamas. Trump himself, during his first term, declared that “The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level.” However, the new reality is one of shifting alliances and hard choices. The Biden administration’s earlier embrace of Qatar, and now Trump’s security guarantees, have placed Doha at the center of regional diplomacy—whether detractors like it or not.
Trump’s peace plan is also notable for its uncompromising stance on Hamas. The administration insists that disarmament is non-negotiable, a “take it or leave it” condition for any agreement. This has left Hamas increasingly isolated, as even countries sympathetic to the Palestinian cause have lined up behind the broader peace initiative. “They’re the only ones who are for their continued militarization,” noted one source. The result is mounting pressure on Hamas to accept terms that could end its armed struggle in exchange for a seat at the negotiating table.
Beyond the Middle East, Trump’s strategy has global implications. The administration has doubled down on support for Ukraine, providing additional aid after Russia rebuffed diplomatic overtures. The parallels are clear: in both cases, Trump’s team argues, the goal is not endless war but “lasting peace, not just for the Middle East, but for the world.” The approach—offering adversaries a chance for peaceful resolution, then backing allies when diplomacy fails—has become a hallmark of the current U.S. foreign policy doctrine.
As the world watches the proceedings in Sharm el-Sheikh, there is a sense that the stakes could not be higher. Trump is expected to meet with families of Israeli captives and address the Knesset before joining the summit, where leaders will attempt to hammer out the details of a durable ceasefire and a broader peace framework. Whether the current calm in Gaza will hold, and whether the ambitious 20-part peace plan will bear fruit, remains to be seen. But for now, at least, the region stands closer to peace than it has in years—a testament to the power of bold diplomacy and the willingness to challenge old assumptions.
The coming days will reveal whether this new phase of regional security is sustainable. For now, Trump’s gamble has changed the game, and the world is watching closely to see what happens next.
