Trump Appoints Witkoff as Middle East Envoy

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Steven Witkoff, a close friend and real estate investor, as the special envoy to the Middle East amidst escalating tensions in the region. Witkoff, who lacks diplomatic experience but has a direct line to Trump, is expected to pursue goals including ending the Gaza conflict and fostering normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. His appointment follows the nomination of Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, emphasizing Trump's commitment to aligning U.S. foreign policy with Israeli interests. Witkoff's background includes a successful real estate career and personal resilience, having established a foundation in memory of his son who died from addiction. Trump has expressed confidence in Witkoff's ability to be a strong voice for peace, drawing parallels to Jared Kushner's prior diplomacy efforts. The situation in the Middle East remains precarious, marking Witkoff's role as critical from the outset.