US President Donald Trump has appointed Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate developer and longtime friend, as his Middle East envoy to tackle global challenges. With a background in deal-making rather than traditional diplomacy, Witkoff’s unconventional approach has raised eyebrows among Western allies.
US President Donald Trump has been making headlines with his unconventional approach to global crises, and one man stands out as the key player in this new world order: Steve Witkoff. The billionaire real estate developer was chosen by Trump to be his Middle East envoy, a role that has seen him tackle some of the most complex geopolitical challenges facing the world today.
Steve Witkoff is a renowned American real estate developer and entrepreneur.
Born in 1962, he founded Witkoff Group, a leading luxury residential and commercial property development company.
Witkoff's portfolio includes iconic projects such as the 'Fontainebleau Miami Beach' and the 'Herald Square redevelopment' in New York City.
He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the real estate industry.
The Man Behind the Scenes
Witkoff’s background is far removed from traditional diplomacy. A native New Yorker, he made his fortune in real estate and has known Trump for decades. The two men share a passion for golf and have been friends for years, with Witkoff even calling Trump his ‘true and dear friend‘ on the stage of last year’s Republican National Convention.
A Deal-Maker in High Demand
Witkoff’s deal-making skills were put to the test when he was sent to Moscow to help facilitate a prisoner swap between the US and Russia. This move was seen as a possible thaw in relations between the two countries, and Witkoff’s involvement was hailed as a success. He has also played a key role in brokering the current ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
A New World Order?
Witkoff’s appointment as Middle East envoy has raised eyebrows among Western allies, who fear that Trump’s team is creating a new world order where key players are shut out of discussions. The recent meeting in Saudi Arabia, which saw Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet with the Russian delegation, has only added to these concerns.
A Complex Remit
Witkoff’s remit as Middle East envoy includes not just diplomacy with Israel and Palestine but also with Iran. People familiar with the matter have told the Financial Times that he is being tasked with spearheading a nuclear deal with Tehran as part of a broader plan to ‘stop the wars‘ in the region.
Located in Western Asia, Iran is a country with a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations.
It shares borders with Turkey, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
With a population of over 83 million people, Iran is the 18th most populous country globally.
The official language is Persian, and the capital city is Tehran.
Iran has a diverse geography, featuring mountains, deserts, and forests.
Its economy relies heavily on oil exports, making it one of the world's leading energy producers.
A Controversial Approach
Witkoff’s approach has been questioned by some, who see his lack of diplomatic experience as a liability. However, Trump and his team seem convinced that Witkoff is the right man for the job. As one White House official told Axios, ‘The president sees Steve as one of the world’s great deal-makers.‘
