**Trump’s Peace Promises: Are They Leading to Stability or Chaos?**

With mixed results on his foreign policy promises, the debate about Trump's impact on world safety is intensifying.

In January, Donald Trump commenced his second term as U.S. President with the emphatic declaration of his intention to be recognized as a "peacemaker and unifier." Just over a hundred days into his presidency, he took his inaugural international tour, visiting wealthy Arab nations and stating, “I will tell you that the world is a much safer place right now” regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

However, the actual situation raises critical questions about whether his administration is genuinely making the world a safer place. In Ukraine, Russian forces have ramped up shelling with a record use of drone attacks—the highest since the invasion began in 2022. Meanwhile, amid his calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Red Cross has reported an alarming surge in patients wounded by weapons, indicating a paradox between his rhetoric and ground realities.

Despite these troubling developments, there are glimpses of potential progress. Diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing, facilitated notably by mediators from Oman. These negotiations aim to prevent what Trump describes as a destructive war, though speculation lingers that military actions from Israel against Iran might complicate matters further. In Syria, the lifting of sanctions may provide a chance for stabilizing an increasingly precarious situation marked by deep economic challenges.

Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, David Harland, encapsulates the duality of current global affairs—more conflicts are emerging, yet tangible negotiations are surfacing within other crises. Trump’s unique position as a leader is viewed as a pivotal factor, as he remains one of the few politicians that nations like Russia and Israel feel compelled to engage with.

While Trump’s bravado, characterized by his motto of "peace through strength," reflects his belief in leveraging his assertive persona to broker peace, the results are ambiguous. He has nudged Ukrainian and Russian officials toward negotiations, but substantial advancements remain elusive.

In the Middle East, Trump's approach, which oscillates between aggressive posturing and rapid peace proclamations, has led to temporary agreements which later fell apart. His foreign policy strategy often eschews intricate details in favor of quick, headline-grabbing deals, leading critics to find fault in the durability of his agreements.

Moreover, Trump's presidency has disrupted established norms in international relations, from his contentious tariffs impacting allies and rivals alike to his unorthodox threats about geopolitical territories. This unpredictability has both alarmed and galvanized nations, with NATO voices now urging increased military expenditure.

Reflecting on his approach, former UN Under-Secretary General Martin Griffiths argues that meaningful negotiations require sustained commitment and patience—qualities that Trump's administration may lack.

As the world grapples with the ramifications of Trump’s presidency, the question remains: is he indeed facilitating a safer global environment, or is his term contributing to a fragmentation of international stability?

For further exploration of these pressing topics, the BBC World Service will host a discussion on whether Donald Trump’s influence is beneficial or harmful to global peace, airing on June 13.