Feb 18 โ€ข 16:58 UTC ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Israel Haaretz

Trump bets that Witkoff and Kushner will deliver with Russia and Iran, sidelining decades of diplomacy

The Trump administration has employed unconventional diplomacy that includes military threats, exemplified by recent meetings involving close aides Witkoff and Kushner with Iranian and Russian officials.

In the past year, the Trump administration has initiated an unconventional approach to diplomacy characterized by military threats and the sidelining of traditional diplomatic channels. This shift is particularly evident in recent high-level meetings that took place on Tuesday. In Geneva, Steve Witkoff, a close confidant from Trump's real estate circle, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, engaged directly with Iranian officials, while simultaneously communicating with Russian and Ukrainian representatives. This multipronged diplomatic tactic highlights a significant departures from decades of established diplomatic practices that typically involved trained diplomats leading negotiations.

As the meeting unfolded in Geneva, there were concerns regarding the effectiveness of this approach and its potential risks. Critics argue that sidelining experienced diplomats in favor of business associates might undermine longstanding international relations and protocols. The administration's strategy seems to hinge on a gamble that these individuals can achieve breakthroughs through personal relationships rather than traditional diplomacy, raising questions about the sustainability and implications of such decisions.

The broader implications of these diplomatic maneuvers are likely to reverberate through multiple international networks, affecting U.S. relations with both Iran and Russia amid growing geopolitical tensions. The Trump administration's mix of aggressive posturing and reliance on personal connections may bring about immediate results but might ultimately jeopardize long-term stability and trust within these complex international relationships.

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