What's happened
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held diplomatic talks in Geneva on Tuesday, aiming to address Iran's nuclear program and Ukraine conflict. Experts question their prospects for success amid rapid negotiations and unclear motives, raising concerns about the effectiveness of this unconventional approach.
What's behind the headline?
The diplomatic approach taken by Witkoff and Kushner signals a shift from traditional state-led negotiations to a more transactional, deal-maker style. Their focus on direct engagement with Iran, Russia, and Ukraine, bypassing established diplomatic channels, suggests a belief that flexible, business-like negotiations will yield quicker results. However, this approach risks undermining long-standing diplomatic institutions like the State Department and the National Security Council, which have historically managed such crises.
The experts' skepticism about their prospects stems from several factors:
- The rapid, high-stakes talks may lack the depth needed for sustainable agreements.
- Their transactional style, rooted in real estate negotiations, may overlook complex political and human rights issues.
- The choice of Geneva, while symbolically significant, may not provide the necessary diplomatic neutrality or leverage.
If this approach continues, it could lead to short-term gains but long-term instability, especially if key issues like Ukraine's borders and Iran's nuclear ambitions remain unresolved. The international community's acceptance of this unconventional diplomacy will be crucial in determining its success or failure.
What the papers say
The Japan Times highlights the rapid and high-stakes nature of the Geneva talks, questioning whether Witkoff and Kushner are overstretched and outmatched. The New York Times reports that their negotiations have made 'good progress' with Iran, but low expectations remain for Ukraine peace talks, emphasizing the divergence in major issues. David E. Sanger notes that Trump’s confidence in these envoys stems from their previous successes, such as Gaza ceasefires, but warns that bypassing traditional diplomatic channels could undermine long-term stability. Meanwhile, Reuters underscores the doubts about their prospects, with experts questioning whether their transactional approach can resolve these complex crises effectively. Overall, the coverage suggests a cautious skepticism about the sustainability and impact of this unconventional diplomacy.
How we got here
The diplomatic efforts follow President Trump's second-term pledge to resolve international conflicts, including Iran's nuclear issues and the Ukraine war. The negotiations are part of a broader strategy to secure international deals that Trump can promote for a Nobel Peace Prize. The choice of Geneva as the venue reflects its long history of hosting diplomacy, though the rapid arrangement and unclear rationale have raised questions about the process.
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Jared Corey Kushner is an American investor, real-estate developer, and newspaper publisher who is currently senior advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, the President of the United States.
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Steven Charles Witkoff is an American real estate investor and landlord based in New York City, and founder of the Witkoff Group.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.