Far from being a historic deal to end war in the Middle East as claimed by US President Donald Trump, the Gaza peace declaration has only established a bloc of regional countries that will work with Washington for now to stabilise the region, observers say.
Composed of Egypt, Arab monarchies led by Saudi Arabia, and Nato member Turkey, this “Axis of Stabilisation” in the making will continue to diplomatically engage Iran and its “Axis of Resistance” allies, including Hamas, to reduce the risk of further conflict in the region.
Over time, analysts say these countries may establish spheres of influence across the Middle East, like Turkey has by backing the winning horse in Syria’s recently concluded civil war, and act in concert with each other and Washington to marginalise the influence of a degraded, cornered Iran in the Arab world.
But none of this qualifies “The Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity” as a transformative diplomatic initiative, analysts say.
Asked by This Week in Asia if Trump and his Middle Eastern allies had found a way of ending conflicts in the region, three eminent analysts said “no”.
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