Containing Iran and normalization with Saudi Arabia: Trump administration formulates comprehensive Middle East strategy for the 'day after' the war
The American plan, currently in the drafting stages and expected to be presented after the elections in Israel, includes the establishment of a regional security framework and closing 'open files' in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon. In Washington, they are preparing to advance the initiative even in the event of a political stalemate in Israel, with the president himself stating in closed conversations that he is working on 'something much bigger.'
The Trump administration is working on a strategy for the 'day after' the war, which will focus on creating a regional framework to contain Iran and expanding the normalization process between Israel and its neighbors, according to two senior US officials and two other sources familiar with the matter.
Why it matters
Although the drafting of the plan is still in its initial stages, it is intended to outline the American strategy in the Middle East after the war with Iran, but also for the final two years of Trump's term and for the day after the elections in Israel on October 27 and the midterm elections in the US in November.
Behind the scenes
The initial work on the strategy is being conducted both at the senior political level of the Trump administration and at the working levels within the inter-agency process in the US. In recent weeks, President Trump held two discussions with his senior advisors, in which the subject was discussed and various ideas were raised. In closed conversations, Trump said he is working on something much bigger in the Middle East after the war with Iran.
"There is thinking within the US administration about a regional plan that integrates the weakening of Iran and the expansion of the circle of normalization and regional stability. This is a plan for the day after the elections in Israel," said an Israeli source who was updated on the details.
The White House declined to comment.
The details
According to the sources, in the discussions held so far, three main components have emerged as possible parts of the strategy:
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Creating a regional framework to contain Iran, which will be based on US allies in the region, with the US serving as a guarantor for this framework, but not as a regional policeman.
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Closing the open files in the region since October 7, or progress towards closing them: implementing the next phase of the Trump plan for Gaza, reaching a security agreement between Israel and Syria, and implementing the agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
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Expanding the Abraham Accords and reaching a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The intrigues
The Trump administration hopes that any new Israeli government formed after the elections in Israel on October 27 will be willing and able to cooperate in implementing the strategy. However, some American officials emphasize that Trump will push for the implementation of the strategy regardless of the results of the elections in Israel, and even if the elections lead to a political stalemate.
A source briefed on the process said that it will take a few more weeks to formulate the new strategy:
"They are cooking it, but it is not yet cooked. The idea is to tie together a great many things in the region. How to create a regional framework after the war. It is still unclear if all of the US allies in the region will be able to be part of this."
