The narrative of President Donald Trump as the “President of Peace” faces a critical stress test this week. Less than two months after the White House celebrated a signature diplomatic achievement in Southeast Asia, fighter jets are once again scrambling over the Mekong. The collapse of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords between Thailand and Cambodia is not an isolated incident; rather, it appears to be the latest domino to fall in a series of diplomatic initiatives that the Trump administration claimed had ended eight different wars,.
As fighting erupts across three continents, a detailed analysis reveals a pattern of transactional diplomacy—often predicated on trade threats and rushed timelines—that has resulted in fragile truces rather than lasting stability.
The Collapse in Southeast Asia
The most immediate blow to the administration’s foreign policy prestige occurred on December 8, 2025, when the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) launched F-16 airstrikes on Cambodian military infrastructure. The strikes, targeting arms positions near the Chong An Ma Pass, were the most severe confrontation since the two nations agreed to a ceasefire in July 2025,.
The rapid escalation marks a stark contrast to the optimism displayed in October 2025, when Thai and Cambodian leaders signed a “peace accord” in Kuala Lumpur. President Trump had hailed the deal as a “monumental” and “historic” achievement, leveraging US trade incentives and tariff threats to bring the parties to the table,.
However, the reality on the ground has dismantled the diplomatic rhetoric. According to Thai Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree, the recent airstrikes were a retaliation after Cambodian troops attacked the Anupong Base with artillery and mortars, killing a Thai soldier. Conversely, Cambodia has accused Thailand of aggression, while Thailand accuses its neighbor of mobilizing heavy weaponry and planting landmines—violations that led Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to suspend the deal last month,.
Experts note that the cracks were visible immediately. While Trump renamed the declaration the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” Thailand refused to recognize this title, viewing the arrangement merely as a “pathway to peace” rather than a comprehensive resolution,.
The “Eight Wars” Narrative
On his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump has claimed credit for ending “eight wars in eight months,” listing conflicts ranging from the Middle East to the Balkans,. A closer examination of these claims suggests that several of these “victories” are either disputed, non-existent, or actively failing.
1. The South Asian Dispute: Trump has repeatedly claimed that he intervened to stop a nuclear-flashpoint war between India and Pakistan in May 2025, following “Operation Sindoor”,. He asserted that the two nations “stopped” because of his threats regarding tariffs and trade. However, New Delhi has consistently denied any third-party intervention, maintaining that the ceasefire was a result of bilateral discussions between military operations directors. Furthermore, tensions remain high, with India asserting that its operations against terrorists are ongoing, leaving the truce “hanging by a thread”.
2. The African Theatre: In June 2025, the Trump administration oversaw a deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to end the conflict involving the M23 rebel group. Trump declared it a “great day for Africa,” citing economic incentives regarding mineral resources,. Yet, fighting resumed in South Kivu province within hours of the signing ceremony in Washington, with both sides accusing the other of violations immediately.
3. The Middle East: The administration’s “20-point plan” for the Israel-Hamas war, signed in October 2025, promised a “durable, and everlasting peace”,. Despite this, reports from December 2025 indicate that Israel has allegedly violated the ceasefire over 500 times, and the second phase of the plan remains pending,. Similarly, while a 12-day war between Israel and Iran was halted following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities (Operation Midnight Hammer), both nations are currently re-arming, with Iran claiming a “decisive victory” and Israel hinting at future strikes,.
Phantom Conflicts
Perhaps most controversial are the administration’s claims regarding conflicts that did not actually involve active warfare. Trump claimed to have ended a war between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam, though the situation was characterized by diplomatic tension, not armed conflict. Similarly, he claimed credit for preventing a “big war” between Serbia and Kosovo via trade threats, despite the fact that no armed conflict has occurred between the two in recent years.
The Limits of Transactional Diplomacy
The current geopolitical landscape suggests that the administration’s strategy of linking peace deals to “reciprocal trade agreements and tariff threats” produces short-lived results. In the case of the Russia-Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year, US-brokered talks remain deadlocked. A leaked draft proposal suggesting Ukraine cede territory and cap its military size was rejected by Kyiv as unjust, and hostilities continue unabated.
As of December 9, 2025, the “President of Peace” faces a world where Thailand and Cambodia are back to blows, the DRC is in turmoil, and the ceasefires in the Middle East are fraying.