The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Archive: Joel Braunold on What Donald Trump's Return Might Mean for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
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Jan 25, 2026 Joel Braunold, Managing Director at the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace, offers concise analysis of how Donald Trump’s return could reshape Israeli-Palestinian policy. He examines likely advisers steering strategy. He discusses implications for Gaza, the West Bank, regional ties, and U.S. domestic moves affecting pro-Palestinian activity.
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Gulf States Want U.S. Commitments
- Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states want the U.S. to fulfill its side of normalization bargains, including security guarantees.
- Braunold notes Riyadh's demand for stronger U.S. commitments motivated its earlier push for a treaty-level arrangement.
Maximum Pressure On Iran Without Regime Change
- Trump appointees signal a return to maximum pressure on Iran without seeking regime change.
- Braunold expects heavy sanctions and a posture that reassures Israel on Iranian threats.
Less U.S. Boots, More Allied Action
- Trump prefers minimal U.S. troop involvement and wants allies to act more in hotspots like Lebanon and Syria.
- Braunold says Trump will resist American deployments and favor local or allied solutions.