Brahma Chellani's column: Trump-style of combining diplomacy with business is inappropriate

If a leader hands over key diplomatic responsibilities to his family and business partners, he will face heavy opposition in most democracies. But Trump has faced little opposition for doing so. Many people call this 'crony diplomacy' of his unconventional working style. But the long-term consequences are serious. Instead of relying on secretary of state or professional diplomats, Trump has delegated key responsibilities to his son-in-law Jared Kushner and business partner Steve Witkoff. Kushner was also a senior adviser to Trump in his first term and played a role in brokering the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab countries. Kushner and Witkoff are leading the talks on Ukraine, Gaza and Iran, but both have no previous experience in resolving complex and important diplomatic challenges. Then, the conflict of interest between the two is also clearly visible. Let's start with Witkoff. Last year, Pakistan signed a controversial investment agreement with cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial (WLF). The CEO of this company is Witkoff's son Jack and the Trump and Witkoff families have a ownership stake in the company. In January this year, a unit associated with the same company signed another agreement with Pakistan. It was about the company launching stablecoins, which could be used for cross-border transactions. But the US-Iran talks have taken place in Pakistan and Pakistan was also the mediator of the talks. When different parties are deciding the geopolitical outcome in the same region and also looking for business opportunities, diplomacy starts to look like a market. Reach, influence, and profits are interconnected. Now, after Trump's first term, he started a private equity firm called 'Affinity Partners' and raised billions of dollars from the monarchies of the Gulf countries. It also includes about $ 2 billion from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. That is, Kushner is dependent on Saudi capital, but despite this, he is expected to negotiate improving relations with Iran. While Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly pleading with Trump to continue the war. Kushner and Witkoff's conflict of interest and their inexperience in foreign policy explain in itself why Trump did not appoint them to official diplomatic posts. Special envoys do not have to go through the process of confirmation by the Senate. Unlike professional diplomats, they are not obliged to have ethical rules and parliamentary oversight. In such a situation, Kushner and Witkoff can use their influence and negotiate on behalf of the US without accountability. Trump's aide Larry Ellison has also made a huge profit from investing in 'Tiktok'. Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr. have also recently joined a drone company called 'Powers'. They are trying to sell drone interceptors to Gulf countries to respond to Iran's attacks in the war started by their father. Now there are also reports of possible insider trading regarding the Iran war. Big bets are said to have been made just before Trump's public statements affecting the market. Such scandals could topple any previous U.S. government or at least launch an immediate investigation, but they have become commonplace under the Trump administration. (@प्रोजेक्ट Syndicate)