Developer-turned-diplomat

• Witkoff, appointed as Special Envoy to the Middle East by President Trump in November 2024, has become a ‘Envoy of Everything’.

• He has successfully brokered ceasefires between Israel and Hamas, another with the Houthis, and persuaded Hamas to release an Israeli-American hostage.

• Witkoff’s success is attributed to his close relationship with the President, a real estate businessman, and his ability to negotiate with the President at any time.

• His trust in the President is a key factor in his role as a top diplomat, as he can pick up the phone and call the President at any time.

• Witkoff’s relationship with Trump dates back to the 1980s, when he transitioned from legal work to the real estate business.

• He has been a key troubleshooter within the Republican Party, negotiating with fellow Republicans who were not fans of Trump.

• Witkoff’s negotiation skills and mindset are superior to traditional diplomacy, which explains his frequent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the U.S.’s departure from protocol in talking directly with Hamas.

• Witkoff’s links to sovereign wealth funds from Gulf countries, including the Qatar Investment Authority, have benefited him from a real estate deal gone wrong.

• His ability to market Trump’s vision to foreign interlocutors is his unique selling point.