President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East to sign a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel was equal parts policy and public relations, and one foreign analyst says it has already kneecapped the chances of lasting peace in the region.
Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at the Clinton Institute, University of Dublin, discussed the peace deal Trump and foreign leaders signed on Monday in Egypt during an interview on Times Radio. Lucas described the event as an "ego trip" for Trump because he seemed to be "taking a victory lap" when the deal still faces "challenges."
"There are obvious reasons why Trump loves the ego trip, and we know that," Lucas said. "There's an important context in terms of where we are today and why it highlights the challenges of where we go next."
One of the challenges the deal faces is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who Lucas said is "under pressure from hard-right ministers" to continue the war. Lucas added that Netanyahu looked "uncomfortable" in Trump's presence.
"Benjamin Netanyahu is looking very uncomfortable today, looking like Donald Trump's manservant," Lucas said. "He's not looking too thrilled, but Donald's in his element. He's going to go meet the hostages. More clicks of cameras, more film, more PR."
Trump has proven to be a wild card in the deal, according to Lucas. Lucas said Trump barged in on an international meeting discussing the reconstruction of Gaza, which immediately "changed the dynamics."
"It is no longer really a substantive meeting," Lucas recalled. "It's there as a PR exercise for Trump to pose. I've seen this with Ukraine, by the way. I saw it happen in the White House back in August. Right now, good things can still come out of this, but not today."