Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American billionaire and new senior advisor on Middle East affairs to President-elect Donald Trump, is poised to influence U.S. foreign policy in a region fraught with challenges. With family ties to Trump — his son-in-law’s marriage to Tiffany Trump — Boulos has played a crucial role in the Trump campaign’s outreach to Arab-Americans, further securing his position at the heart of this administration’s Middle Eastern strategy.
Boulos, an unknown figure prior to the election, brings considerable business acumen and connections in Lebanon’s socio-political scene. Growing up in Kfar Akka, he later built his automotive empire in Nigeria. His familial background and business dealings situate him uniquely between Western elites and the complexities of Middle Eastern politics, setting the stage for a significant crease in U.S.-Lebanon relations.
The nominee’s involvement suggests a fresh approach to Trump’s corner, traditionally dominated by pro-Israel advocates and evangelical Christians. Boulos’s standing as the highest-ranking Lebanese-American official in the White House since the 1980s signifies a notable shift, offering a different perspective in shaping U.S. policies that resonate with Lebanon’s diverse political fabric.
Massad Boulos emerges from a Greek Orthodox Christian lineage in Lebanon’s Kfar Akka. His business journey transitioned from Lebanon to Nigeria, where he became entrenched in the automotive industry. His strategic positioning amid local Lebanese politics, despite being previously under the radar in the U.S., offers a backdrop for his forthcoming influence on U.S. involvement in Lebanon, particularly as the region faces political instability and crisis.
In conclusion, Massad Boulos’ ascendance to the role of senior advisor for Middle Eastern affairs heralds a significant opportunity for renewed U.S. engagement with Lebanon. His unique background, deep ties to Lebanese power figures, and understanding of western and eastern socio-economic dynamics may reshape the political landscape, potentially leading to a more nuanced American approach in the region once he assumes his position in the new administration.
