By Prof. Syed Ahsanul Alam, Geo-Political Analyst (South Asia)
June 19, 2025 – In a world inching dangerously close to the precipice of large-scale warfare, the current Iran–Israel conflict has tested the diplomatic mettle of global leaders. Amid widespread calls for restraint and peace, one figure has emerged with surprising calm and clarity: former U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
While no longer in office, President Trump’s voice still commands attention on the world stage. His restrained and measured comments regarding the unfolding Middle Eastern tensions—particularly his subtle but serious advice urging civilians to evacuate Tehran—could go down in history as a pivotal moment of humanitarian foresight. As violence looms and global powers take sides, Trump’s remarks reflect an understanding not just of military calculus, but of human cost.
Polling among U.S. Trump voters shows 53% strongly oppose any direct American involvement in the Iran–Israel conflict, a number that aligns closely with global sentiment. Mass protests in London and across Europe call for de-escalation, echoing the anti-war mood that swept through capitals after previous foreign interventions. President Trump, ever attuned to both domestic and international pulses, has wisely mirrored this sentiment, calling for peace over provocation.
This is not the first time Trump’s foreign policy instincts have shown a knack for diffusing tensions. During his 2017–2021 presidency, he demonstrated an unconventional but often effective diplomatic approach. From historic meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to pressuring NATO allies to increase defense spending while avoiding direct confrontation with Russia, Trump’s strategy was clear: strength without entanglement.
In South Asia, a region often overlooked by Western diplomatic circles, Trump’s legacy remains deeply respected. Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, recently praised Trump’s efforts in discouraging escalation in the current Iran–Israel situation. In a rare public statement, General Munir even suggested that the former U.S. President be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize—not only for his current diplomatic posture, but for his behind-the-scenes efforts in de-escalating India–Pakistan tensions during his term.
“President Trump’s ability to prevent regional escalation and avoid global confrontation deserves international recognition,” General Munir reportedly said during a security conference in Islamabad. “His instinctive diplomacy may have prevented not one, but several wars.”
Indeed, while critics of Trump may point to the chaos and unpredictability of his domestic leadership, many in international security circles quietly acknowledge that his foreign policy kept the world out of a potential World War III during a volatile era.
Trump’s foreign policy philosophy—peace through strength, minimal intervention, and deal-making diplomacy—may not fit into traditional frameworks. But history may look back on it more favorably than many pundits expect. His caution during the current Middle Eastern crisis has already influenced global dialogue and tempered rash responses from other stakeholders.
In conclusion, while the Iran–Israel conflict remains unresolved, and true peace is still a distant goal, President Trump’s recent actions offer a valuable example of how restraint and rhetoric can matter as much as force and firepower. Whether or not he is ultimately nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s diplomatic fingerprints are on some of the most important de-escalation efforts of our time.