Former President Donald Trump recently claimed to have ended six wars since entering office. It’s possible these claims point to a broader international conflict. Some of the actors in this world have reacted with hand waving and head burials.
Trump was unequivocal in stating that he did not want a temporary ceasefire. He continued to emphasize that any path to a lasting solution would require more than simply a cease fire. His defense for his administration’s actions included praise for preventing an active war from erupting between Serbia and Kosovo. He even asserted that he was single handedly responsible for ending disputes between Israel and Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and India and Pakistan.
His claims follow several recent announcements of localized ceasefires. In March, he declared for a “FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE” between India and Pakistan. He noted that this deal came after pressure-filled negotiations facilitated by the U.S. On July 26, he announced his plan to lead a grassroots movement demanding a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. Specifics about this initiative remain hazy.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.” – Donald Trump
This, despite Trump’s celebration, India’s government denied him any credit for the arrangement, even implying that he had influenced negotiations for the ceasefire. Serbia has steadfastly rejected any enterprise to assault Kosovo. Perhaps most importantly, they challenge Trump’s characterization of what’s happening to them.
The conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia over a multi-billion dollar dam on the Nile River grows increasingly tense. Despite Trump’s insistence that a settlement has been struck, no formal deal has been made.
Trump also let slip that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently, in Alaska, about the situation in Ukraine. Tweet from President Biden sharing that he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he had not negotiated any ceasefires and did not think Ukraine wanted a ceasefire.
Trump’s narrative invites us to completely ignore how much influence he really had in all of these international affairs. So too with his assertion that he has solved conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand. He claims credit for advancing peace processes in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, but these claims remain unconfirmed by outside sources.
He further reiterated his stance against ceasefires during an interview, stating, “If you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war. I didn’t do any ceasefires.”
Trump can repeatedly tout these huge accomplishments, but the facts show otherwise. Other conflicts are still active and some still smolder without obvious answers. Unfortunately, the parties miss the mark. This points to a wider chasm between Trump’s claims and the realities of global diplomacy.