Trump’s Peace Deals in His Second Term: From Nagorno-Karabakh to the Red Sea

 

Since returning to the White House in 2025, President Donald Trump has sought to reassert America’s role as a power broker on the global stage—this time with a sharper focus on “deal-making diplomacy.” In just months, his administration has mediated ceasefires and agreements in regions ranging from the Caucasus to the Horn of Africa.

One of the most unexpected developments came in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a provisional settlement. Critics point out that this truce may be fragile, but even skeptics acknowledge that Washington’s involvement rebalanced negotiations long dominated by Moscow. By pushing for economic incentives and bypassing traditional diplomatic channels, Trump added his signature unpredictability to a decades-old dispute.

In the Middle East, Trump turned his attention to the Red Sea crisis, where tensions between regional rivals and maritime security threats had been escalating. The administration’s push for a multi-nation maritime security pact—bringing together unlikely partners such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and even a cautious Iran—reflects an ambition to recast U.S. influence in the area as indispensable. While the agreement remains in its infancy, the mere fact that sworn adversaries signed onto a shared security framework is seen by some as a rare diplomatic win.

Yet these moves have not been without controversy. Detractors argue that Trump’s approach prioritizes photo opportunities over long-term stability. They warn that bypassing traditional diplomacy risks creating agreements that unravel quickly once the spotlight fades. Others note that such deals often lean on transactional promises, which may be vulnerable to shifting political winds.

Supporters, however, view these peace deals as proof that Trump’s unconventional style can yield results in some of the world’s most intractable conflicts. They argue that, unlike in his first term, his second-term diplomacy shows a more urgent willingness to tackle multiple crises simultaneously, betting that quick, visible progress can generate momentum for more permanent solutions.

Whether these deals endure will be the true measure of success. History is littered with “peace in our time” moments that quickly dissolved under the weight of reality. Trump’s challenge now is to ensure that these agreements—hailed in headlines today—don’t become cautionary tales tomorrow.