Trump’s Return to White House: Garčević and Mako Analyze Potential Changes
Former president Donald Trump’s return to the White House following Tuesday’s stunning election points to major shifts in U.S. foreign policy should he follow through on his campaign promises. Faculty members from the Pardee School share their expert views on Middle East peace prospects and NATO-Ukraine relations.
Middle East Peace Prospects and Regional Dynamics
Assistant Professor Shamiran Mako examines the implications of Trump’s statement to “get it over with and let’s get back to peace.” Her research suggests serious risks ahead for regional stability and diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
Looking at U.S.-Iran relations, Mako warns that “a more antagonistic policy toward Iran will surely expedite its ambitions of developing nuclear capabilities.” This observation comes at a time of mounting tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Mako also reflects on past diplomatic efforts in the region. She notes that previous agreements like “the Abraham Accords had less to do with bringing about peace to the region, and more about cementing alliances…in exchange for substantive weapons sales.” Her analysis suggests that future peace talks might continue to favor military partnerships over broader peace-building goals.
NATO and Ukraine Relations
Professor Vesko Garčević, Center for the Study of Europe Interim Director, reviews the outlook for transatlantic ties after what he calls “Trump’s surprising (?) ‘red landslide’ victory.” His work sheds light on upcoming changes in U.S. engagement with NATO and its support for Ukraine.
While Garčević believes that “U.S. potential withdrawal from NATO seems to be highly unlikely,” he sees marked changes ahead for Ukraine policy. In his view, “Ukraine shouldn’t count on the unwavering support of Washington and additional financial and military assistance.” These observations raise new questions about U.S. priorities in Eastern Europe and signal possible changes in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Read their full analyses and other perspectives from BU experts examining potential impacts across education, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights and more in BU Today’s article.
Shamiran Mako is an assistant professor of international relations at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. She is also a member of the Graduate Faculty at the Political Science Department at Boston University. Her research explores the historical and contemporary drivers of inter and intra-state conflicts that produce weak and fragile states across the MENA region. She is the author of After the Uprisings: Progress and Stagnation in the Middle East and North Africa, with Valentine Moghadam. Read more about Professor Mako on her faculty profile.
Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years during his diplomatic career. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He was Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about Ambassador Garčević on his faculty profile.