US President Donald Trump has made conflict resolution a central priority of his administration.

From Ukraine and Gaza to the South Caucasus and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Trump has upended established diplomatic norms in pursuit of a promise made at his inauguration: “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier.” His approach relies heavily on American leverage and a transactional style, aimed at forcing parties to the negotiating table and locking in peace through deal-making.

This unorthodox strategy has produced mixed results and contested claims of success. It has also unsettled traditional allies and, at times, drawn criticism from within the MAGA base, where some view Trump’s peace efforts as sitting uneasily with an ‘America First’ agenda.

In this discussion, experts will assess the strategies the Trump administration is deploying to end conflicts, where they are likely to succeed or fail, and whether Washington can sustain peace efforts across multiple theatres. Panellists will also consider whether Trump’s approach could reshape global thinking on conflict resolution in the years ahead.