Is Trump’s Diplomacy Working?

 A Fragile Ceasefire Tests His Strategy

A fragile ceasefire appears to be holding between Israel and Iran, following days of high-stakes escalation and fiery rhetoric. Both nations, for the first time, have acknowledged that the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump is now in place—though the details remain vague, and the atmosphere is anything but stable.

The ceasefire, which took effect mere hours after a surprise online declaration by Trump, had appeared at risk of collapse until both governments signaled compliance, seemingly after direct pressure from Washington.

Trump’s "Exceptionally Direct" Call with Netanyahu

According to Israeli officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to pause strikes after a “frank and exceptionally direct” phone call with President Trump. The Israeli government later said it had "refrained from further attacks" following that conversation, suggesting that U.S. pressure may have tipped the balance.

White House sources say Trump warned both leaders that any further strikes would jeopardize diplomatic ties and trigger consequences from U.S. allies. Trump’s rhetoric, unusually sharp even by his standards, accused both Iran and Israel of “violating a deal I personally negotiated.”

Ceasefire Terms: More Symbolic Than Structured

Despite the breakthrough, the ceasefire appears to rest on the thinnest of agreements. No formal documents have been released, no verification mechanisms are in place, and both sides retain the military capacity to resume fighting with little warning.

“The terms of the ceasefire seem to be little more than both sides halting their strikes,”

— James Landale, Diplomatic Correspondent

Analysts warn that unless the U.S. or a neutral third party oversees compliance, the situation could unravel quickly—particularly with hardliners in both Iran and Israel voicing public doubts about the value of restraint.

Trump's NATO Arrival Framed as a Victory Lap

President Trump landed in the Netherlands for the NATO summit early Tuesday, greeted not only by traditional allies but also by praise. While still aboard Air Force One, Trump posted a message of congratulations from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who commended him for taking “decisive action” to prevent wider war.

“The President has shown the kind of swift decision-making that stops wars before they start,”

— Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General

For Trump, the timing couldn’t be better. The NATO gathering gives him a global stage to tout his crisis management just as his foreign policy doctrine—often criticized as erratic and confrontational—faces its most serious test.

A Doctrine of Disruption: Tactical or Reckless?

Trump's handling of the crisis with Iran and Israel is in line with his broader strategy of personalised diplomacy—relying on public declarations, direct leader-to-leader calls, and last-minute pressure plays.

Critics argue his approach undermines traditional diplomacy and escalates conflict before de-escalating it. Supporters claim he cuts through bureaucracy to achieve fast, tangible results.

“It’s diplomacy by disruption,” said a former White House national security adviser.

“Sometimes it works—but it’s always high risk.”

The Bigger Picture: A Moment of Pause or a Lasting Peace?

Whether this ceasefire evolves into a durable peace agreement—or simply buys time for the next strike—remains to be seen. What is clear is that President Trump has once again inserted himself at the centre of global conflict resolution, using his own style of diplomacy that blends blunt pressure with headline-grabbing moves.

As Trump meets NATO allies this week, all eyes will be on how he frames this as a victory—not just for himself, but for a world increasingly wary of flashpoint conflicts in the Middle East.