In an exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson, real estate magnate and special envoy Steve Witkoff offered unprecedented insights into the intricacies of high-stakes international diplomacy. Drawing from his experience as a trusted negotiator for President Trump, Witkoff shared candid observations about effective negotiation strategies, the importance of clarity in diplomatic missions, and the stark realities of Middle East reconstruction efforts.
Setting the Stage: The Trump Advantage
"President Trump sets the table for all of us. He really does," Witkoff explained early in the interview. This foundation—what Trump calls "peace through strength"—creates an environment where American envoys arrive with genuine authority, a stark contrast to previous administrations.
The difference, according to Witkoff, is palpable before negotiations even begin: "When he dispatches you to go to the Middle East, people are almost a little bit intimidated before you get there." This advantage stems not from intimidation tactics but from clarity of purpose and the knowledge that the negotiator truly speaks for the president.
The Negotiator's Mindset
What distinguishes Witkoff's approach from traditional diplomatic methods? A relentless focus on outcomes rather than process. "Negotiating is being outcome oriented," he stated emphatically. "It's figuring out where you want to get to. That's Trump's game plan all the time."
This outcome-oriented approach begins with a crucial first step that Witkoff believes many negotiators miss: asking the president directly what he wants to achieve. Rather than presuming presidential intentions, Witkoff insists on clarity from the outset.
"When I say I speak for the president, it's not because I presume what he's thinking. It's because I ask what he's thinking," Witkoff emphasized. "I give him the respect of always asking the question, 'Where do you want to get to, Mr. President?'"
Seeing Through the Other Side’s Eyes
Beyond understanding his own side's objectives, Witkoff stressed the importance of comprehending all parties' motivations—a practice often overlooked in traditional diplomacy.
"I'm always trying to put myself in the shoes of the other person because a good deal has to work for everybody," he noted. This approach extends to understanding the motivations of mediators like Qatar, whom Witkoff defended against criticism: "They're criticized for not being well-motivated. It's preposterous. They are well-motivated. They're good, decent people."
According to Witkoff, Qatar's motivation is straightforward—as a small nation, they seek recognition as peacemakers on the world stage. "What they want is a mediation that's effective, that gets to a peace goal," he explained. "And why? Because they're a small nation and they want to be acknowledged as a peacemaker."
This ability to see beyond surface-level impressions and understand underlying aspirations, Witkoff suggested, is critical for building lasting agreements.
Gaza: Confronting the Grim Reality
Perhaps most revealing was Witkoff's candid assessment of Gaza reconstruction timelines. While the Biden administration's May 27th protocol spoke of a five-year reconstruction plan, Witkoff offered a stark reality check based on his firsthand observations.
"When the president asked when Gaza could be reconstructed, 15 years was my answer. Maybe 20," Witkoff recalled. His assessment came from direct observation of conditions on the ground: "I was in Gaza... it's been decimated. It's been destroyed."
The physical challenges are immense: "There are tunnels underneath. So think Swiss cheese underneath. And then they got hit with bunker buster bombs. So there's no rock there anymore. There's no place to put footings if you're going to build buildings."
This reality-based assessment initially faced skepticism until independent reporting confirmed his timeline: "Everyone said that we didn't know what we were talking about until the journal wrote an article and said 15 to 20 years."
The Fundamental Difference
What separates Witkoff's approach from traditional diplomacy? Tucker Carlson observed that it comes down to a fundamental difference in posture.
Traditional diplomacy often begins with "here's what we want, shut up and do it"—an approach Carlson noted has proven ineffective. By contrast, Witkoff's method begins with understanding what all parties truly want and need, creating the foundation for agreements that can actually endure.
"Operating blind is really the problem in a negotiation like this," Witkoff concluded. "You have to know where everybody stands."
This approach emphasizes building agreements that are based on realism and a shared understanding of all parties’ interests, increasing the likelihood of lasting success.
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