How can the Arabs say no to Trump?

When we wrote, a few days before the U.S. presidential election, that Donald Trump's victory would further destabilize the Middle East, we received an almost unanimous outcry in return. For some Lebanese, but more broadly for residents of the region, there was no doubt: not only could the American billionaire not do worse than Joe Biden, but his status as a 'deal maker' and strongman should even impose peace. As if international relations were ultimately just a matter of testosterone.The first weeks proved us wrong. Trump's return accelerated the conclusion of cease-fire agreements in Lebanon and Gaza. The fall of the Syrian regime, the collapse of the Iranian axis, the election of Joseph Aoun and the appointment of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam even revived hope in the region for the first time in decades. But,...