Seven months in to the second Trump Administration, I remain deeply skeptical of his defense establishment. However, the State Department is firing on all cylinders under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In June, President Trump brokered a peace agreement to the end of a 3-year-long war between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda that has killed thousands and displaced over 600,000 people. On June 27, Secretary Rubio hosted the Ministerial signing of the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner signed on behalf of the Government of the DRC, and Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe signed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda, while Secretary Rubio signed as a witness. The Washington Accord lays a foundation for a comprehensive agreement that confronts the causes of the conflict and supports a sustainable path toward regional peace.
Sound good? The Trump Administration is just getting started. A conflict between Thailand and Cambodia that began in July ended in four days when Trump leveraged the trade relationships both nations have with America to broker an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Other regional conflicts between India and Pakistan along with Egypt and Ethiopia ended with President Trump’s intervention.
I am personally worried about the slow progress ending the war in Gaza but hope that he is trying to maneuver toward a lasting peace. There are plenty of Palestinian- and Arab-Americans willing to assist in the process of rebuilding Gaza and supporting a civil society in a free and independent State of Palestine existing peacefully alongside Israel the moment the President asks. Whenever conflicts arise, President Trump is not shying away from wielding a big stick, but he is waging peace everywhere he can. And everyone benefits from a more peaceful world under strong American leadership.
About the Author
