Republican candidate Donald Trump achieved a resounding victory over his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in the election that millions of Americans headed to the polls for last Tuesday.
Trump's electoral promises
Syria will not be isolated from the issues that will be on the table of the new American president. While experts and observers expect that the policy will remain stable based on a series of determinants established over the past years during the tenure of three American presidents, they do not rule out that "the approach" may change in the upcoming phase, especially after Trump announced his victory in the elections.
In Syria, there are several issues awaiting American policy, including the relationship with Damascus and the possibility that the Trump administration will adopt more economic and political pressure on it. Additionally, there is the Iranian presence and the potential for Trump to support Israeli military operations against this presence throughout the Levant, including Syria. Furthermore, there is the situation in North and East Syria and the relationship with the Syrian Democratic Forces, where Turkey is expected to seek a new deal with the Trump administration to expand its occupation of the region.
No radical change, and Trump's policy will be different from his previous term.
The Lebanese political analyst, Sarkis Abu Zaid, spoke to ANHA's agency about the reasons for Trump's victory and said: "He was able to attract vital issues, reach out to new groups, and forge unconventional alliances. For example, he gained the trust of workers and small businesses, promising them tax cuts and enhancing the role of small companies. He also focused on supporting the youth who want to exercise their individual freedoms. On the other hand, he made promises and provided support to marginalized American groups."
Regarding the expected change, Abu Zaid pointed out that: "He does not expect a radical change; Trump's political orientations are known, and ultimately there is a deep state with constants. I do not rely much on electoral promises because they usually end with the elections, and we cannot judge Trump based on his policies in the previous phase of his term. There will undoubtedly be adjustments that take into account the ongoing changes, especially since he made contradictory promises; on one hand, he confirmed support for Israel and defended its control and existence, but at the same time, he promised to achieve peace to win Arab voters, without clarifying what his concept of peace is, which is a matter of disagreement in the Middle East."
The relationship with Russia will reflect on regional issues.
Sarkis Abu Zaid believes that: "The relationship between Russia and Trump could reflect on the Syrian file, especially since the United States has key bases in Syria and Russia has a significant presence there. Therefore, it is expected that Russia will play a crucial role in finding a solution between Washington and Damascus, especially since there is a project for stability in the region based on the reconstruction of Syria and Iraq, and perhaps Russia and the United States will play a role in this area."
Regarding the impact of this on the escalation with Iran, Sarkis Abu Zaid pointed out that: "Russia could also play a role in addressing tensions with Tehran, especially in Gaza and Lebanon. There is information indicating that Russia played a role in resolving some issues between Iran and the United States. Russia has made contacts to reduce the contradictions and disputes between Trump and Iran. Therefore, it is expected that Russia will play a role in bridging the viewpoints despite previous disagreements and differences on the nuclear issue, political matters, and the wars in Gaza and Lebanon."
New methods of engagement, and Republicans are more interested in the Middle East
The Egyptian researcher, Abu Bakr Al-Deb, also spoke to ANHA's agency, saying that "Trump's victory will affect the methods and approaches to dealing with Middle Eastern issues, which are a focal point in U.S. foreign policy. There are many topics of concern to the U.S. administration at levels of security, energy, combating terrorism, and strategic alliances. Therefore, it is expected that Trump will seek, in cooperation with Arab countries, to find settlements in the region, arrange the situation, regain control over Iran, prevent its expansion in the Middle East, and prevent major powers from entering and occupying the United States' position in the Middle East."
Abu Bakr al-Deeb added that: "Both parties in the United States seek to restore full U.S. control over the Middle East, but Trump has strong and important relationships with Middle Eastern leaders, and Republicans are more interested in Middle Eastern issues than Democrats, who say what they do not do."
Abu Bakr also predicted that "Trump will work on addressing regional issues such as Iran's role and its proxies in the region, freedom of navigation, tensions in Africa, the situations in Libya and Syria, the war in Sudan, and the tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia." I believe that the Trump administration will be more serious in this area.
Abu Bakr also saw that: "Relations with Russia will not be confrontational as they were during the Democratic administration, and Trump's relations with Arab states will be framed within the interest of survival and strengthening military power in the Middle East."
T/ Satt.
ANHA
