Donald Trump's novel approach to Middle East statecraft continues to unfold in real time. Since initially floating the idea, he has repeatedly doubled down on his commitment to the U.S. "taking over" and "owning" Gaza at some indeterminate point in the future. Similarly, he has repeatedly doubled down on his professed earnestness in using the carrots and sticks of diplomacy to cajole Jordan and Egypt into accepting as new refugees the millions of Arabs in Gaza who seek better lives for themselves—outside Hamas's totalitarian jackboot and kleptocratic rule. In fact, Trump just met yesterday at the White House with Jordan's King Abdullah, where he reiterated all this. By all accounts, the president seems very serious about his plans.

Earlier this week, the president also changed his tune—a lot—on the issue of the hostage/ceasefire deal that Israel agreed to mere days before his inauguration. Previously, Trump had lauded the deal profusely and praised his new Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, for what he had been able to achieve in working with Qatari intermediaries to broker it. But the deal was actually a very bad one; it led many, like yours truly, to openly question whether Witkoff's well-established business ties to Qatar were affecting his shuttle diplomacy. But now, Trump is insisting that if all the hostages are not freed from Gaza by this Saturday at noon local time, "all hell" will "break out" in Gaza. As is often the case, it's not entirely clear what Trump means. But it's certainly music to Israel's ears. The pressure is once again on for Hamas; the clock is ticking.

Meanwhile, I debated libertarian comedian Dave Smith last night at Princeton University, as part of the Steamboat Institute's "Campus Liberty Tour" campus debate series. We debated the question of whether the U.S.-Israel alliance is a strategic asset for American foreign policy. I of course said yes; Smith said no. You can watch that debate in full here; I also make the same argument at length in my forthcoming debut book (out next month!), Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West. It certainly seems that President Trump feels very strongly that the answer to last night's debate resolution is "yes," just as he demonstrated in both word and deed the first time around.

Truly, it's a whole new ballgame—yet again—in the Middle East. We live in exciting times.

To keep up with everything I'm doing, follow me on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook. You can listen to all episodes of "The Josh Hammer Show" at the Newsweek website or on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—as well as on select radio stations across the country. (We recently welcomed our newest radio partner, 660 AM The Answer in North Texas!) I also have a second podcast, "America on Trial with Josh Hammer," with The First; you can listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Finally, make sure to check out my debut book, Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West, which will be released March 18 from Diversion Books/Radius Book Group! I poured my heart into this book. It would mean the world to me if you would preorder a copy today.

Our highlighted recent Newsweek op-eds include selections from former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Sean Spicer, Kristan Hawkins, Rabbi Steven Burg, and Paul du Quenoy.

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