Friend in High Places 

Israel’s wish list for Trump

The Middle East bears no resemblance to what Donald Trump left behind at the end of his first term, nor will it look the same as it does today when his second term ends in January, 2029.

Israel has great expectations once Trump is sworn in next Monday. Here are four ideas for how Trump and Israel can get on the same page and stay there.

1

Help Israel Project  Regional Power

Israel remains engaged in multiple conflicts and will continue to maintain a war posture for the foreseeable future. The IDF has significantly weakened its enemies’ military capabilities, yet their determination to fight Israel persists.

The ceasefire in Lebanon is precarious. Any ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the hostages will last only until Hamas rearms and rebuilds its forces. Although Iran’s military withdrawal from Syria has created a physical distance, Iran is closer than ever to owning nuclear weapons. Israel confronts new uncertainties in Syria, which may become a proxy for Turkey, thus fueling the ambitions of its megalomaniacal leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to restore the Ottoman Empire and dismantle Israel. Trump is the only one who can put Erdogan in his place or scare Iran into submission.

Currently, Israel is retaining territories in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria to strengthen its defenses and to launch new offensives if needed. Still, Israel is poised to withdraw from Lebanon one week after Trump assumes office under the existing ceasefire terms. To avoid unwanted flare-ups that would distract Trump from executing his aggressive first 100-day domestic agenda, he must convey to the new Lebanese and Syrian governments that until they genuinely assert control and demonstrate readiness for peace with Israel, the US will back Israel holding its ground.