Trump Moves to Reshape Middle Eastern Order... Accelerating the Expansion of the Abraham Accords

Encouraging Syria and Lebanon to Join

Trump: "There are great countries"

Normalization of Israel-Arab Relations

Checking Chinese and Russian Influence in the Middle East

Hezbollah and Others as Obstacles to the Accords

President Donald Trump is pushing to expand the 'Abraham Accords,' which focus on normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab nations. Following recent Iranian airstrikes and an Israel-Iran ceasefire, this move is being analyzed as an attempt to reorganize the Middle Eastern order around pro-American and pro-Israel alignments.

In a Fox News interview on the 29th (local time), President Trump said regarding the expansion of the Abraham Accords, "There are a few great countries." He added, "So far, Iran has been the biggest problem," and said, "Now, it seems that several countries will begin to join the accords one by one." The Abraham Accords are considered a major diplomatic achievement for President Trump. The aim is to extinguish sources of conflict in the Middle East through expanded global investment and various economic incentives.

However, after Hamas attacked Israel in 2023, the Abraham Accords lost much of their momentum. Diplomatic normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel also broke off after the Hamas attacks. Recently, momentum behind the accords is being renewed. On the same day, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said, "What happened between Israel and Iran gives us all a chance to stop and open a new path," adding, "The Middle East is ready to start a new dialogue, and everyone will return to the Abraham Accords." He continued, "I hope Syria and Lebanon will sign peace agreements with Israel." Syria has recently established a pro-U.S. regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said on the 26th regarding the ceasefire with Iran, "It will open up opportunities to dramatically expand peace agreements."

A ceasefire is also imminent in the war in the Gaza Strip, which has lasted more than 18 months since 2023. Ambassador Barrack stated, "There will be progress as we take steps toward resolving Israel's conflicts."

The Trump administration intends to use the expansion of the Abraham Accords to curb Chinese and Russian influence in the Middle East. Alexandre Kateb, head of the global issues analysis outlet 'The Multipolarity Report,' explained, "The Abraham Accords are strongly intended to block the expansion of high-tech sectors by China in the Middle East, and the previous Joe Biden administration also sought to continue the accords for this reason." There is also talk of President Trump aiming for the Nobel Peace Prize by consolidating his role as 'architect of Middle East peace' through the Abraham Accords.

However, there are obstacles to expanding the accords. Syria is demanding the return of the Golan Heights, which Israel occupied in 1967. In contrast, Israel considers the Golan Heights a strategic stronghold. In Lebanon, there is the pro-Iran militant faction Hezbollah, which opposes reconciliation with Israel. If the Lebanese government joins the accords, there is even a risk of civil war.

Reporter: Kim Joo-wan

▶ Abraham Accords

A diplomatic normalization agreement between Israel and Arab countries mediated by the United States. The name of the accords is derived from Abraham, the prophet shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In September 2020, during the first Trump administration, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain first joined, followed later that year by Sudan and Morocco.