America’s Peace President

By Gregory Simpkins

The second administration of US President Donald Trump has come under significant criticism for several perceived failings – from shutting off development aid and shuttering the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to the haphazard pruning of the government workforce to the attempted mass expulsion of undocumented immigrants. I have been among the critics for several actions that I either disagreed with completely or thought were handled poorly.

However, despite all the criticism, we must not lose sight of a major positive that we have witnessed. Over one full term and six months of a second term, Donald Trump turns out to be the most effective peacemaker as American president.

President Trump has brokered several peace deals and agreements during his presidencies. In his first term, Trump’s administration concluded the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

These accords marked a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Trump has continued to attempt to expand it.

It remains to be seen how the Iran military actions by Israel and the United States will affect that effort.

The Kosovo conflict in which the Trump administration became involved in his first term revolves around the longstanding tensions and disputes between Kosovo and Serbia, particularly over Kosovo’s independence. The conflict escalated in the 1990s, resulting in a bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, and ultimately led to NATO’s intervention in 1999.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia refuses to recognize it. The two countries have ongoing disputes over territory, including the valuable Gazivode/Ujmani Lake.

Historical ethnic tensions between Albanians and Serbs continue to fuel the conflict.

In September 2020, the Trump administration brokered the Washington Agreement, a series of economic normalization agreements between Kosovo and Serbia. The deal aimed to foster economic cooperation and improve relations between the two entities.

The agreement included measures such as expediting efforts to locate and identify missing persons from the war, implementing long-term solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, and promoting economic development. The Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts, led by Special Envoy Richard Grenell, helped bring the parties to the negotiating table and facilitated the agreement.

Israel-Iran Peace Effort

Trump brokered a peace deal between Israel and Iran after a 12-day war, resulting in a ceasefire and the declared elimination of Iranian nuclear sites. The deal showcases Trump’s ability to leverage strength to force dialogue and deliver results.

It may seem counterintuitive to list this as a peace effort since military action was involved, but the US bombing was strong yet limited involving no damage other than to Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran initially signaled its willingness to discuss peace terms, but rejected unconditional surrender. Recently, the Iranians said they were not ready to go further in the peace process at this time.

Iran is denying that its nuclear facilities were seriously damaged and now appears to be engaged in a crackdown on its citizens to prevent a revolt. This all means getting them to conclude a lasting peace deal will be more difficult that it could have been.

Promise Made, Promise Attempted

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to quickly end the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He brought both Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table for serious discussions around a peaceful resolution, marking a significant step towards resolving the conflict.

His promises seemed to be typical hyperbole sat the time and has proven to be so since he regained office. Trump has been criticized for his refusal to rearm Ukraine and for appearing to cozy up to Russia.

However, as a military ally of Russia’s opponent, there had to be some repositioning to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.

Observers note, especially after the contentious White House meeting with Zelensky earlier this year, that Trump appears to dislike the Ukrainian president. If you recall, the Democrat-run House impeached Trump for a phone call he made to Zelensky in which he was accused of attempting to manipulate evidence of corruption against Joe Biden and his family.

Whatever Zelensky said to Congressional investigators, it didn’t line up with Trump’s story that he was merely asking for existing information. Moreover, the now Republican-run Congress is investigating alleged kickbacks to members from Ukraine.

Russia continues to attack positions inside Ukraine despite the peace efforts as sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime seem to be hurting his economy despite continuing to be skirted by some nations. The International Criminal Court investigation on the situation in Ukraine regarding war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is ongoing.

African Peace Initiative

In Africa, Trump brokered a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda after prolonged conflict, ending a decades-long conflict. The deal involves military de-escalation, economic cooperation, and American strategic interests, paving the way for greater regional stability and US investment in Africa’s critical mineral sector.

At the signing of the peace accord on June 27, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “For all the things that make life worth living, those things become impossible when there’s war and when there’s conflict. So, we’re grateful to have played the role we have played.

We acknowledge and recognize there’s still more work to be done.”

In fact, it is widely anticipated that the fighting in DR Congo will not be effectively concluded quickly. A colleague of mine on the ground in DR Congo told me that despite the peace accord, rebels continue to strengthen their military forces in order to conquer territories they have not yet taken.

The eventual success of this peace deal will largely depend on the will to end the conflict by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has long had designs on eastern Congo because of longstanding ethnic protection concerns as well as abundant mineral wealth.

The Economist magazine reported (June 7th-13th 2025 issue) that Rwanda is profiting from smuggling from DR Congo.

“The region is rich in gold and the ‘3T’ minerals important in electronics: tin, tungsten and tantalum. In 2024, Rwanda recorded bumper annual earnings from minerals.

It exported $11.75 billion-worth, up from about $500 million in 2021. Though Rwanda has some mines of its own, the export figures also include smuggled minerals from Congo,” the magazine reported.

According to The Economist, Western powers have sanctioned Rwanda to some extent, but may be inhibited by Rwanda’s usefulness in the anti-jihadist mission in Mozambique and its acceptance of deported illegal aliens.

“The EU has sanctioned three Rwandan generals, including a commander in Mr. Kagame’s inner circle, and a refinery in Kigali that the bloc says processes illicit gold from Congo. America has sanctioned a cabinet minister. Britain has cut some aid,” the magazine reported.

“Yet Mr. Kagame said in April, at his annual speech to commemorate the genocide, that those sanctioning Rwanda ‘could go to hell’”.

Other Peace Initiatives

India-Pakistan: The India-Pakistan conflict refers to the longstanding tensions and disputes between the two nuclear-armed nations, particularly over the Kashmir region. The recent escalation was triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people.

India blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Pakistan denied any involvement and offered to participate in an independent investigation.

The region of Kashmir is claimed by both India and Pakistan, leading to recurring tensions and violence. India accuses Pakistan of supporting terrorist groups that carry out attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir and other parts of the country.

The conflict has led to several military confrontations, including air strikes and artillery exchanges, which have resulted in casualties and raised concerns about nuclear escalation.

The Trump administration offered to mediate between India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and prevent a full-blown war. President Trump claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between the two nations, which was welcomed by Pakistan but disputed by India.

Trump suggested that he used trade as leverage to convince both sides to accept a truce, emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation over nuclear conflict Secretary of State Rubio played a key role in diplomatic efforts, engaging with senior officials from both countries and urging restraint and dialogue.

A ceasefire was agreed upon, with both sides committing to halt military actions and engage in talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. Despite the ceasefire, experts warn that lasting peace will require sustained diplomatic engagement and addressing the underlying issues, including the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism.

Serbia and Kosovo: In his second term, Trump has expressed the intent to re-engage in resolving tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti urging Trump to pressure Serbia into normalizing relations.

The Washington Agreement remains partially implemented, and tensions between Kosovo and Serbia persist. Kosovo’s Prime Minister Kurti has outlined conditions for normalization, including Serbia handing over Milan Radoicic, accused of killing a Kosovo police officer, and withdrawing a statement rejecting Kosovo’s territorial integrity.

As critics would readily point out, none of these peace initiatives are finalized to the extent that peace is guaranteed, but they all represent a multifaceted effort by the Trump administration to at least attempt establishing peace where it did not exist.

Nevertheless, he likely won’t be expecting a Nobel Peace Prize despite being nominated for one by Pakistan.

Gregory Simpkins, a longtime specialist in African policy development, is the Principal of 21st Century Solutions. He consults with organizations on African policy issues generally, especially in relating to the U.S. Government. He further acts as a consultant to the African Merchants Association, where he advises the Association in its efforts to stimulate an increase in trade between several hundred African Diaspora small and medium enterprises and their African partners.