The U.S. and the Illusion of Peace: A History of Failed Deals and Broken Promises

Throughout modern history, the United States has played a major role in brokering peace agreements in global conflicts. However, a pattern emerges when analyzing these deals—many ultimately unravel, leaving behind instability, renewed conflict, and questions about Washington’s commitment to lasting peace. From the Treaty of Versailles to the recent agreements in Afghanistan and Ukraine, the U.S. has frequently engaged in peace processes that later collapsed due to poor planning, political self-interest, and a failure to consider long-term consequences.

1. Treaty of Versailles (1919) – The Seeds of Another War

War: World War I
Why It Failed:
After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles was signed with the intention of preventing another global conflict. However, the U.S. played a key role in drafting a punitive peace that placed the entire blame on Germany, imposing crippling reparations and severe restrictions on its military. While President Woodrow Wilson championed the League of Nations as a safeguard for future stability, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify it, signaling Washington’s reluctance to uphold its own commitments. The economic and political instability that followed directly contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and World War II. The U.S. sidelined its European allies by refusing to enforce the treaty’s terms or participate in the League, effectively abandoning the agreement before it had a chance to work.

2. Paris Peace Accords (1973) – A Strategic Exit, Not a Lasting Peace

War: Vietnam War
Why It Failed:
The U.S. engaged in the Vietnam War for over a decade, only to negotiate a peace agreement that was ultimately unenforceable. The Paris Peace Accords, signed in 1973, aimed to establish a ceasefire and ensure the withdrawal of American troops while maintaining South Vietnam’s independence. However, Washington’s primary goal was to secure a quick exit rather than a stable peace. By 1975, North Vietnam violated the agreement and launched a full-scale invasion. With no real enforcement mechanism in place, and with Congress unwilling to continue military aid to South Vietnam, the U.S. effectively walked away from its commitments, leading to the fall of Saigon and a complete communist takeover.

3. The Treaty of Damocles (2020) – Afghanistan’s Unraveling Peace

War: War in Afghanistan
Why It Failed:
Officially known as the Doha Agreement, the U.S.-Taliban deal under the Trump administration was intended to end America’s longest war. The agreement promised the withdrawal of U.S. forces in exchange for Taliban commitments to peace and counterterrorism. However, the deal was flawed from the outset: it excluded the Afghan government, undermining its legitimacy. Additionally, the U.S. made significant concessions without ensuring Taliban compliance. The Biden administration followed through on the withdrawal, but the rapid Taliban takeover in 2021 exposed the deal’s weaknesses. The U.S. had once again prioritized a quick exit over a sustainable peace, leading to the chaotic fall of Kabul and the abandonment of Afghan allies.

4. The Jeddah Truce (2024) – A Fragile Ceasefire in Ukraine?

War: Russia-Ukraine War
Why It May Fail:
The latest in a series of U.S.-backed diplomatic efforts, the Jeddah Truce proposes a 30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and its adversary. While hailed as a breakthrough, the deal remains conditional on reciprocal action, making it highly uncertain. The U.S. has promised to resume aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, but its history suggests that commitments can shift with political changes in Washington. Moreover, past peace efforts have shown that temporary truces often serve as mere pauses before escalations. If the U.S. does not enforce the agreement or sidelines Kyiv’s strategic needs, the Jeddah Truce could become yet another failed attempt at peace.

A Pattern of Missteps: Why U.S. Peace Deals Fail

Examining these peace agreements reveals a clear pattern in U.S. diplomacy:

Sidelining Allies: In Afghanistan, Vietnam, and even Ukraine, Washington has often negotiated agreements without fully incorporating its allies’ perspectives, weakening long-term stability.
Walking Away Too Soon: The U.S. frequently disengages once its immediate interests are met, leaving fragile peace deals to collapse.
Prioritizing Short-Term Gains: Many of these agreements were designed for political expediency rather than durable solutions.
Lack of Enforcement: Whether in Europe post-WWI, Vietnam, or Afghanistan, the U.S. has repeatedly failed to ensure that adversaries uphold their end of the bargain.

What About Palestine?

One of the longest-standing conflicts remains unresolved, despite multiple U.S.-brokered peace efforts. Washington has played a key role in shaping Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, yet its peace initiatives—such as the Oslo Accords and Trump’s “Deal of the Century”—have often been unbalanced, favoring Israeli interests while sidelining Palestinian demands. The ongoing crisis raises the question: can the U.S. truly broker peace when its historical approach has repeatedly failed?

Can the U.S. Break the Cycle?

History suggests that the U.S. struggles to secure lasting peace. Whether due to a lack of enforcement, premature disengagement, or politically motivated agreements, Washington’s diplomatic efforts often fail to create stability. If the U.S. is to regain credibility as a peace broker, it must rethink its approach—engaging all stakeholders, ensuring long-term commitment, and enforcing agreements with accountability. Without such changes, the legacy of failed U.S. peace deals will only continue.

First Phase Of The ‘Ceasefire’ Ended In Gaza With No Concrete Plans For Phase 2