Just before the Nobel announcements, Donald Trump boasted that not one or two, but eight wars were halted thanks to him. The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia was among these. Although a ceasefire was achieved, it has now unraveled, claiming over a dozen lives. The unrest isn't confined to Southeast Asia; similar issues are evident elsewhere, where 'Trump-brokered' peace appears fleeting.
What's Behind Asian Disputes?
In May, Thailand and Cambodia endured a five-day battle resulting in over 50 fatalities and displacing more than 300,000 civilians. A ceasefire was signed under U.S. leadership in October. At the heart of their dispute are two ancient temples near their border. Recent violence has seen at least 12 deaths with thousands displaced.
Trump's Take on the Situation
After entering the White House, Trump's immediate goal was the Nobel Peace Prize. During a period of global conflict, he initiated dialogues with warring nations. By leveraging trade adjustments as a diplomatic tool, he convinced many of the necessity of ceasefires.
Source: aajtak
The Eight Conflicts Claimed to be Stopped
- Thai-Cambodia border conflict - Armenian and Azeri war - Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo - Israel-Iran ceasefire - Peace between Israel and Hamas - Egypt and Ethiopia ceasefire - Peace between Serbia and Kosovo - Attempted mediation between India and Pakistan, which India openly denied.
Despite these assertions, Trump didn't receive the Nobel. Concerns loomed that Trump's deals lacked permanence, predicting potential for resuming conflicts, which indeed happened, evident from the Thailand-Cambodia case.
The Gaza Strip Still Unstable
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas occurred, yet peace remains elusive. Soon, skirmishes emerged between Tel Aviv and Hamas militants. Despite a halt in airstrikes, the underlying tensions persist. While likely restrained because Trump's involvement facilitated the agreement, it underscores the longstanding US-Israel alliance. Trump extended proposals to Hamas to halt aggression, yet the Gaza Strip's reconstruction is yet to begin.
Source: aajtak
Active U.S. Involvement in the Israel-Iran Conflict
Conflict between Iran and Israel paused in June amid Trump claiming mediation credit. However, controversy arose, as U.S. military actions targeting Iranian nuclear sites were carried out under Trump's command, escalating tensions.
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have endured since Kosovo's 2008 independence declaration, which Serbia doesn't recognize. Following significant struggles, NATO and the EU efforts paved the way for U.S. mediation under Trump. Since then, relative peace has prevailed for the past five years.
Rwanda-DRC Relations Still Fragile
Although a peace deal between Rwanda and the DRC was signed in June, its viability seems questionable. Congo recently accused Rwanda of breaching peace with new attacks.
Regarding the India-Pakistan ceasefire, it remains contentious. After a Pakistan-sponsored assault in Kashmir's Pahalgam, India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan. Amidst nuclear threat concerns, the U.S. intervened, leading to expedited peace. India persistently refuted employing Trump’s mediation. Initially, Pakistan echoed U.S. sentiments, but later its military acknowledged India never accepted third-party interventions.
