Former President Donald Trump is receiving both local and international acclaim for his pivotal role in brokering a recent peace agreement, resulting in the release of 20 hostages held by Hamas and the liberation of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees this past Monday.

According to Sharma, Trump’s reputation for decisiveness and strength has earned him trust and respect from all parties involved. “He commands a level of authority there,” Sharma remarked. “The various sides believe he will follow through on his commitments and uphold his promises, even resorting to force if necessary.”

In a region where the dynamics of politics and diplomacy often revolve around displays of force, Trump’s approach has made him a significant player. Sharma pointed out that previous U.S. administrations have been more hesitant to engage in the Middle East with the same fortitude, often shying away from military involvement and lacking a nuanced understanding of the region’s unique diplomatic language.

In contrast, Sharma noted that the Biden administration, which was in office during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, lacked the readiness to deploy military forces in the Middle East. This different approach left a gap that Trump was able to fill, enhancing his credibility as a peace negotiator.

Sharma also highlighted a critical move by Trump earlier in June, when he authorized a strike on an Iranian nuclear site. This decisive action is credited with setting the stage for the recent ceasefire, illustrating Trump’s willingness to take bold steps to achieve diplomatic goals.

“I don’t think the Biden administration would have hit the Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow like the Trump administration did, for instance,” he added.

“The Obama administration, where Biden was the Vice President, famously said that if Syria used chemical weapons, it would be a red line. 

“Syria used chemical weapons, they never enforced that red line.”

Sharma predicts Trump – content now with exclaiming that the “war is over” – will assume a backseat approach.

His role as the enforcer may not be needed again in the region unless a ceasefire is broken, he said.

“I think Trump is personally invested in it lasting, so I don’t think he will lightly allow the resumption of this conflict,” Sharma said.

“Whilst Trump might not need to remain personally involved, his lieutenants in the region, Steve Whitcoff, Jared Kushner, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, they’ll all need to make sure that these sort of problems and obstacles are ironed out, and they’ll need to alert Trump if and when he needs to get involved again further.”

He described Trump as now more popular in Israel than its own Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president was given a hero’s welcome in Israel when he landed as the hostages were being released.

“[Biden] didn’t have the same level of popularity as Trump. He was certainly a pro-Israel president, but in a different league to Trump,” he said.

“And the Arab world also knows that he can deliver Israel, if you like, that his say and his influence there is very high.

“In parts of the Middle East, Biden might speak softly but carries a small stick, whereas Trump speaks loudly and carries a big stick.”

Trump’s legacy is still evolving as his second administration nears the end of its first year.

Foreign policy will remain a key pillar of the president’s final term but his tariffs – which continue to wreak havoc in global markets – could eclipse it in the history books.

Trump has imposed hefty tariffs on imported goods into the US, including slapping a 10 per cent tariff on all Australian exports.

“I think this tariff agenda is something that is going to feature far more prominently in the legacy of his administration,” Director of Research at the United States Studies Centre Jared Monschein said.

“But I think on the whole, it would be hard for us to find a Democrat that, as much as they dislike Donald Trump, is somehow denouncing what he’s accomplished in the Middle East in the last few days.”

Monschein said he expects Trump’s successful mediation between Israel and Hamas will give some “forward momentum” in his administration.

“At the same time, it’s hard to say that this is a clear, long-term or even medium-term victory because if there’s anything that the Middle East has shown time and time again, it’s that it’s hard to predict,” he added.