When Donald Trump’s presidency ended on 20 January 2021, many in the Arab world rejoiced. He was seen as reckless and unfit to lead, while Joe Biden’s victory sparked hope for a better future. Yet, just four years later, the narrative is shifting again. Some who once celebrated his departure are now welcoming him back, as if he and his party were the long-awaited solution to conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon, and beyond.
This shift exposes a troubling pattern. Many believe that a change in US leadership will alter its policies toward the Arab world. But history proves otherwise. The Republican Party, under leaders like George H W Bush and George W. Bush, was deeply linked to wars and bloodshed in the region. Yet, there is a persistent hope that a new president will bring justice. This dependency on foreign leaders, rather than self-determination, leaves the Arab world vulnerable to external control.
The real issue lies in how societies revolve around personalities instead of principles. By pinning hopes on external forces, people surrender their power to shape their own future. This is where intellectuals should play a key role. Unlike politicians who serve their interests or media figures chasing popularity, true intellectuals must stand apart. Their duty is to observe, critique, and support positive change without bias toward any leader or ideology.
However, in today’s Arab world, intellectual independence is rare. Many thinkers align themselves with authority, societal pressures, or social media trends rather than objective analysis. As a result, their influence on public opinion has diminished. Meanwhile, Arab societies remain fragmented by wars and political strife. Instead of advocating for unity beyond national borders, many intellectuals have become confined within the framework of individual states, justifying government policies rather than questioning them.
Trump’s potential return highlights this contradiction. The same voices that once blamed him for regional instability now view him as a possible saviour. This inconsistency stems from a misunderstanding of global politics. The US is not shaped by one president alone; it is a superpower with long-standing policies rooted in economic and strategic interests. Its unwavering support for Israel, influenced by both political and religious factors, is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Washington’s focus has never been the well-being of the Arab world. Its primary concern is securing its own interests — oil, gas, resources, and regional influence. While American civil society includes organisations that defend human rights, US state policy operates on self-preservation. Any nation that challenges its dominance faces consequences, whether through economic sanctions, political destabilisation, or military intervention.
Trump is not an exception to this system; he simply embraces a more transactional approach. He manipulates economic pressures, makes threats, and uses nationalist rhetoric to secure America’s gains. Yet, instead of recognising this, many in the Arab world remain caught in a cycle of reacting emotionally to foreign leaders, as if their rise or fall will determine the region’s fate.
The solution does not lie in supporting or opposing any American president. True strength comes from within—by ensuring stability, preserving identity while embracing diversity, and fostering knowledge, innovation, and productivity. Only then will the world respect the Arab world for what it is, rather than for what it can provide.
This change must start with intellectuals. If they free themselves from political pressures, financial incentives, and societal constraints, they can lead a movement that is not dictated by external forces. The real question should not be whether Trump returns to power but rather is the Arab world moving forward, or is it standing still?
The writer focuses on reconciliation and understanding and is the author of The Jurisprudence of Extremism
Translated by: Badr al-Dhafari
*The original version of the article appeared in Arabic in Oman newspaper’s print version on February 05, 2025.
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