As Donald Trump considers a second presidential term, he faces the opportunity to redefine America’s global role. A new mandate offers a chance to focus on pragmatic alliances and champion the aspirations of youth worldwide—especially in the Arab-Muslim world, where the American Dream is still a powerful inspiration. However, for Trump to successfully leverage these opportunities, he must deliver clear, principled policies that address emerging global challenges while leaving behind outdated doctrines.  

Restoring U.S. Credibility with a Pragmatic Foreign Policy 

A second Trump term could reassert U.S. leadership through a foreign policy that is pragmatic and responsive to today’s shifting geopolitical landscape. The world increasingly seeks partners who prioritize mutual respect and shared growth over rigid ideology. Instead of imposing doctrines, a pragmatic Trump administration could build coalitions based on common goals—combining America’s strengths in technology and economic opportunity with the aspirations of allies. This approach would help rebuild trust and position the United States as a reliable partner, particularly for youth seeking economic development and technological advancement. 

To restore the U.S. image globally, Trump would need to engage more inclusively with international partners. A key part of this would be emphasizing collaboration on critical global challenges, such as technological development and economic mobility. This shift would demonstrate that the United States is not only focused on its own interests but also on the broader global community, particularly young people striving for stability and opportunity.  

Expanding the Abraham Accords to Foster Innovation and Economic Growth 

One of the Trump administration’s most notable achievements, the Abraham Accords, offers a powerful blueprint for expanding partnerships across the Arab and Muslim world. By encouraging more countries to join, the accords could create a solid bridge of economic collaboration and innovation, benefiting all parties involved. Collaborative projects in technology, agricultural innovation, water management, and healthcare could provide practical solutions to pressing challenges, from food security to public health. 

The United States can play a pivotal role in these initiatives, promoting shared interests that go beyond politics. Through such partnerships, Trump could reinforce America’s commitment to peace and prosperity in the region, fostering opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual understanding. These ties would also serve to dismantle longstanding stereotypes, helping create a foundation for a more unified approach to common challenges and allowing the United States to act as a respected facilitator in a new era of cross-cultural partnerships.  

Revitalizing the American Dream for a New Generation

For much of the twentieth century, the American Dream symbolized prosperity and opportunity, drawing people worldwide to aspire to what America could offer. However, economic inequality and political strife have clouded that vision, and fewer young people abroad see the United States as a place where dreams are realized. Figures like Elon Musk have rekindled global interest in the transformative power of American innovation, reminding the world that ambition and creativity can create profound change.

Trump’s second term could capitalize on this renewed interest by fostering international partnerships that allow young people, especially in the Arab-Muslim world, to benefit from American innovation and opportunity. Technology, entrepreneurship, and education exchanges could position the United States as an enabler of progress, particularly for youth populations that aspire to stability, economic mobility, and personal fulfillment. A focused foreign policy could position America as a partner in these ambitions, aligning American interests with the dreams of young people who seek a brighter future. 

However, for this to work, Trump would need to offer clear policies that engage youth beyond just idealized visions of the American Dream. Specific initiatives, such as creating new educational exchanges and partnerships in high-tech industries, could foster stronger connections between American institutions and global youth. These policies would not only empower young people but also show that America’s strength lies in its ability to share innovation and opportunities with the rest of the world. 

Addressing the Iranian Threat with a Strong, Supportive Stance

Iran remains a destabilizing force in the region, advancing its nuclear program and funding proxy groups that threaten critical trade routes and regional stability. These proxies, along with the Iranian regime, pose security risks that reach far beyond Iran’s borders. To counter these threats, the Trump administration should adopt a firm stance, supporting voices of freedom and opposition within Iran—particularly among its youth, who often oppose the regime’s anti-American stance.

Iranian youth largely aspire to a future defined by opportunity and openness, rather than hostility and repression. By building connections with Iran’s opposition groups and offering support to the younger generation, Trump could foster a bridge to the Iranian people themselves. Such a strategy would counter the regime’s influence while empowering Iranians who seek reform, signaling that the U.S. stands with those seeking genuine progress and freedom. This policy would not only bolster regional stability but also show that America is committed to supporting those who aspire to a more open society within Iran. 

Confronting Extremism with Consistency and Resolve 

A key area in restoring U.S. credibility is confronting radical extremism, which destabilizes communities worldwide. Organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Polisario Front, as well as the ideological influence of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, pose direct threats to both regional stability and the aspirations of young people who want to live in peace and security. However, U.S. policy toward these groups has often been inconsistent. 

The Polisario Front, a militia based in Tindouf, Algeria, serves as a destabilizing force in North Africa, with support from Iran that amplifies its impact on the region’s security. This militia threatens the stability of Morocco, one of the United States’ oldest and most steadfast allies.

Today, Morocco’s stability is vital not only for North Africa but also for broader U.S. interests in counterterrorism, trade, and diplomatic engagement in the Arab world. Supporting Morocco’s efforts to counter Iranian influence aligns with America’s commitment to secure and reliable alliances.

While the United States designates groups like Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, it tolerates their presence in allied countries, highlighting contradictions in U.S. foreign policy. Similarly, while the United States condemns anti-Semitism, it sometimes maintains relationships with entities that tolerate or endorse groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, whose ideology has fueled extremism. 

A second Trump administration could address these double standards by promoting laws that prohibit not only extremist organizations but also any cooperation with them, whether by state or private entities. A consistent policy would pressure allies to cut ties with these groups and send a clear message that extremist ideologies have no place in a future defined by opportunity and resilience. Additionally, Trump could adopt a more proactive approach to deradicalization—investing in local youth programs that counter extremist ideology by offering alternatives such as education, job creation, and leadership training.  

However, simply cracking down on extremist groups is not enough. Trump’s administration should complement these efforts by addressing the root causes of radicalization—namely, economic disparity, lack of opportunity, and political disillusionment. By investing in youth entrepreneurship programs and providing support for emerging markets, the United States can help foster communities where extremism has less appeal. 

In a second term, Trump could establish more durable partnerships, based on common interests in economic development, security, and youth empowerment. By building alliances that reflect the aspirations of the next generation, the United States can avoid the pitfalls of previous interventions that were perceived as transactional or paternalistic. 

This approach would not only strengthen America’s standing in the world but also foster an international environment that prioritizes growth, stability, and opportunity over conflict. America’s role should not be to dictate but to inspire, becoming a nation that other countries—especially those with young, ambitious populations—seek to emulate and engage with on equal terms. 

To make this vision a reality, Trump should outline a new framework for alliances that ensures these partnerships are durable and mutually beneficial, with clear terms that focus on long-term investment in people and institutions. 

For millions of youth, particularly in the Arab-Muslim world, America still represents a beacon of possibility. 

With the right approach, the United States can inspire them to pursue their aspirations and contribute to a world that values resilience, growth, and shared dreams. 

This vision would mark a powerful legacy for Trump—a legacy of empowerment that transcends borders and envisions a future where America is not only a superpower but also a source of inspiration for generations to come. 

By leading with a commitment to progress, the United States can reaffirm its role as the world’s most respected ally and its most hopeful example.

Ahmed Charai is the Publisher of the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune and serves on the boards of directors of the Atlantic Council, the International Crisis Group, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and the Center for the National Interest.

Image: Flickr photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore via a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.