Just hours after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the U.S. ambassador to the Israeli occupation, known for his unwavering support for settlement expansion, especially in the West Bank, which he considers part of the "Promised Land," referring to it as "Judea and Samaria," extreme Zionist minister Bezalel Smotrich tweeted on "X" that 2025 would be the year of "Israeli" sovereignty over "Judea and Samaria," the term the occupation uses for the West Bank. He added that he had instructed the settlement and civil administration authorities (which are under the Ministry of Defense) to begin preparing the necessary infrastructure for applying sovereignty over the West Bank.
This prompted questions about the outlines of the new foreign policy of Trump's upcoming administration, particularly toward the Middle East, which remains a focal point of global conflict today. While Trump boasts of his unique leadership style, his cabinet appointments hint at policies that will be more aggressive and hostile, especially concerning the Palestinian issue and relations with Iran.
In this article, we will delve into the most prominent figures chosen by Trump for his team to lead the United States and will focus on their stances regarding regional issues, attempting to understand the direction of the forthcoming foreign policy based on these selections.
Through Trump's announcements and team choices, names like Marco Rubio and Mike Huckabee stand out as indicative of the anticipated administration. Rubio, expected to take over the State Department, is known for his hardline stance toward Iran and his unequivocal support for the Zionist entity. He is not merely a supporter of the occupation but one of the leading voices defending "Israel's" aggressive policies.
Rubio has previously described the Iranian regime as a "terrorist regime" and declared his unconditional support for strict "Israeli" responses to Iran. Such statements clearly outline a U.S. policy that will push for more escalation in the region while continuing to pressure Iran.
In our view, Iran's delay in responding to Zionist aggression is part of an attempt to understand the makeup of the incoming U.S. administration. Additionally, Rubio views Gaza merely as a potential security threat. His recent statements confirm his rejection of any truce in the area and his full support for providing the occupation state with unrestricted military aid. This reflects a near-total disregard for the suffering of Palestinians under occupation. His ideas indicate a preference for prolonging the war in Gaza rather than ending it.
As for Mike Huckabee, nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to the Zionist entity, his appointment elevates the U.S.–"Israeli" alliance to a new level of bias. Huckabee, who once claimed that "there's no such thing as a Palestinian," is expected to push for unprecedented support for settlements and to reinforce the legitimacy of Zionist annexation of occupied territories.
Huckabee does not view the West Bank as occupied land but as part of "Judea and Samaria," aligning with the extreme right-wing Zionist rhetoric. His opposition to the two-state solution and his absolute loyalty to Netanyahu signal that Trump’s administration is closing the door on any fair political process. It also raises the question of whether granting sovereignty over the West Bank will be Trump’s forthcoming gift to Netanyahu, akin to his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of the Zionist entity following his 2017 election victory.
Amid these troubling appointments, John Ratcliffe emerges as a nominee for CIA director, known for his anti-Iran stance, adding another dimension to American security policies. His appointment is expected to drive increased intelligence operations against Tehran and its regional allies, alongside enhanced intelligence support for the occupation. His focus on declaring Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the Jewish people underscores a complete bias favoring the Zionist project at the expense of international law.
Domestically, the nomination of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, despite her lack of security experience, reflects an ideological rather than professional approach. Her support for laws criminalizing criticism of "Israel" under the pretext of combating anti-Semitism will likely foster a global environment suppressing voices critical of Zionist crimes. It is not far-fetched that Noem will work not only to tighten anti-Semitism-related laws but also to target previous movements falling within this framework, especially student activism on American campuses.
Regarding broader strategy, the appointment of Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor indicates Trump's intent to adopt a more aggressive policy toward perceived enemies, particularly China, which he strongly opposes. Waltz’s call to enable Zionists to finish the mission in Gaza raises the likelihood that Trump’s administration will support prolonging the war in the region and enforcing Zionist plans on Gaza's residents. Additionally, hardline stances toward Iran are reinforced by choices like Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, who views targeting Iran’s energy production facilities as a key to crippling Iran’s ability to resist U.S. pressure.
Trump’s appointments leave no doubt that the Middle East will remain a priority, with a policy aimed at resolving conflicts through consolidating Zionist dominance and intensifying Iran’s isolation. This aligns with what Netanyahu calls the "new Middle East." However, the most concerning aspect is the lack of any political vision for achieving peace or resolving conflicts based on rights.
Trump’s administration does not view Palestinians as anything more than an obstacle to the alliance of Arab and Islamic states with the Zionist entity. It approaches the Palestinian issue as a file to be erased rather than resolved.
With these shifts, it seems that Trump’s upcoming administration will impose greater pressures on Palestinians and Arab states still pursuing fair solutions. A return to the "maximum pressure" policy on Iran implies heightened tensions that could explode at any moment. Undermining any prospects for a two-state solution and continued support for settlements could lead to new waves of Palestinian resistance, especially in the West Bank, at a time when international support for the cause diminishes under U.S. pressure.
As Trump’s assumption of power nears, he knows the Middle East is not just a theater for traditional conflicts but also a test of his administration's ability to achieve domestic gains through deals aimed at bolstering his image before his electoral base. Yet, these policies may further complicate regional dynamics, bringing the world back to the tensions that marked his first term, with potentially more dangerous consequences for global security and stability.
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