The state of Trump’s Eternal Peace Plan in the Middle East

Trump in his fantasy performance of an address to the nation this past Wednesday declared: "I've restored American strength, settled eight wars in 10 months, destroyed the Iran nuclear threat and ended the war in Gaza, bringing for the first time in 3,000 years, peace to the Middle East."

This is the main headline on the Haaretz website as of this writing: (1)

The killing in Gaza continues, mostly on the Israel side. Trump’s Eternal Peace Plan officially took effect on October 10. As of now, there is no actual ceasefire. Israel is continually expanding the territory it directly controls in Gaza. Violent settler activity in the occupied West Bank.

The bullet-points in the story itself include the following: “The ‌U.S. military launched ⁠major airstrikes against ‌several Islamic State ‍targets across Syria, American officials said.” Oh, US combat in Syria. Nice to know. This should actually be getting more coverage. That bullet-point didn’t include more details. But it’s worth noting that the US intervention in Syria has had one unintentionally constructive effect of allowing the Kurds in the Rojava area to maintain a government with important democratic elements.

Middle East Eye reports:

The US, in conjunction with Syrian forces, has carried out several attacks on IS members over the past year.

Six days ago, US Central Command (Centcom) said that an IS fighter ambushed US personnel in Syria.

Centcom said US troops came under fire in the Palmyra area of central Syria, prompting an immediate response. US forces engaged the attacker and killed the gunman responsible for the ambush.

The Pentagon said the attack took place while US soldiers were holding a meeting with local leaders in Palmyra, underscoring the risks facing troops during engagement missions on the ground. [my emphasis] (2)

CENTCOM (US Central Command) reported that it had "struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria with fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery." (3)

As David Hearst notes of Trump’s First Peace In The Middle East For Three Thousand Years:

At a recent military parade attended by [Syrian President and alumni of Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State Ahmed al-Sharaa], troops chanted: “Gaza, Gaza, Gaza, our slogan, night and day, bombing and ruin. We are coming for you, our enemy, coming, coming for you, even if you were a mountain of fire, I will make from my blood ammunition, and from your blood rivers.”

Soon afterwards, an Israeli government minister hinted at a potential war with Syria.

Days earlier, a pre-dawn raid on a village south of Damascus had nearly turned into a military disaster. In late November, Israeli helicopters and artillery struck Beit Jinn, 50km southwest of Damascus, as soldiers stormed homes and seized three villagers, according to local media.

A firefight then developed, as the whole village joined the effort to repel the Israeli invaders. Fighter jets were deployed as the Israelis became surrounded. By the time they retreated, 13 Syrians had been killed and 25 others injured, while six Israeli soldiers were wounded, three seriously. [my emphasis] (4)

And Jared Szuba notes:

The insider attack has threatened to pose the toughest test yet to Trump's second-term Syria policy, which is led by envoy Tom Barrack. Trump returned to the presidency vowing to halt US involvement in "endless" foreign conflicts. Barrack has stated the president ruled out a policy of nation-building in Syria after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024.

Yet administration officials are signaling they plan to forge ahead on their approach to supporting Syria's internal security forces despite the deadly incident. Privately, some US officials acknowledge they are aware of the presence of former al-Qaeda and other extremist figures in Damascus' ranks. [my emphasis] (5)

Bottom line: Peace President Trump is actively involving US forces in ongoing combat in Syria in support of ongoing Israeli military intervention there.

Notes:

(1) Haaretz online 12/20/2025. <https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-12-20/ty-article-live/strike-on-gaza-shelter-kills-five-hospital-chief-says-idf-incident-under-review/0000019b-39c8-dc39-abbb-fffad5680005> (Accessed: 2025-20-12).

(2) MEE Staff (2025): US bombs Islamic State targets in Syria after attack on personnel. Middle East Eye 12/19/2025. <https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-bombs-islamic-state-targets-syria-after-attack-personnel> (Accessed: 2025-20-12).

(3) US strikes over 70 IS targets in Syria after attack on troops. Al-Monitor 12/19/2025. <https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/12/us-strikes-over-70-targets-syria-after-attack-troops> (Accessed: 2025-20-12).

(4) How Israel's overreach in Syria could be its downfall. Middle East Eye 12/16/2025. <https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/how-israels-overreach-syria-could-be-its-downfall> (Accessed: 2025-20-12).

(5) US bombs ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for Palmyra insider attack. Al-Monitor 12/19/2025. <https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/12/us-bombs-isis-targets-syria-retaliation-palmyra-insider-attack> (Accessed: 2025-20-12).