Defying conventional thinking

Donald Trump cannot avoid the headlines. Embroiled as he is at home in the United States in the Russian spy scandal, the United States President has increased tensions in the Middle East.

Mr Trump has reportedly told Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas he intends to relocate the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

President Abbas has warned of the dangerous consequences such a decision will have in the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region of the world.

The issue is likely to inflame Muslim and Christian feelings as Jerusalem is a holy place to three religions - Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Of all the issues at the heart of the enduring conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, none is as sensitive as the status of Jerusalem. Mr Trump has been teasing this issue out for a few weeks now, giving every indication he was going to make the announcement while seeming to be seeking guidance.

Warnings to Washington from across the Middle East have failed to curb Mr Trump's enthusiasm for shifting the US embassy. The risks in the Middle East are high, although there will be no doubt Mr Trump is now firmly in the camp of supporting Israel in any future - and now possible - conflict.

Israel claims the city as its capital, following the occupation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war with Syria, Egypt and Jordan. It considers Jerusalem to be a united city.

Palestinians have long seen East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. They say the establishment of an embassy in Jerusalem will undermine Washington's status as an honest mediator.

It is important to note is no country has its embassy in Jerusalem. The international community, including the US, does not recognise Israel's jurisdiction over and ownership of the city.

Jerusalem is seen as a red line, not only for Palestinians but also for Arabs, Muslims and Christians everywhere.

Leading up to Christmas, which Christians celebrate, the news cannot come at a worse time. Likewise for Jews. Hanukkah starts on December 12 and ends on December 20.

Back at home, Mr Trump is facing allegations he, or his campaign, co-ordinated with a foreign country to manipulate a US election. As expected, Mr Trump is calling this fake news and continues to blame defeated Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for spreading rumours and distrust.

Although the majority of the American public now believes Russia tried to disrupt the US election, opinions about the Trump campaign involvement is split along partisan lines. Seventy-three percent of Republicans believe Mr Trump did nothing wrong in his dealings with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. Only 13% of Democrats feel that way.

Investigators are trying to have Deutsche Bank, the German bank serving as the President's largest lender, to turn over documents about its client relationship with the President and some of his family members.

The revelation makes it clear special prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team are investigating the President's finances.

Experienced observers say the affair has the potential to eject Mr Trump from office. Both Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton - the only presidents to face impeachment proceedings in the last century - were accused of obstruction of justice.

In the case of Mr Trump, it is likely his fate will be up to voters. Republicans who have opposed him are being eased out of office. Even if strong evidence of wrongdoing emerged, a Republican congressional majority is likely to block any action to remove him from office.

So far, accusations levelled against Mr Trump have failed to stick, despite the best efforts of the Democratic Party. However, the Middle East may prove to be a task yet beyond his abilities, just as stopping North Korea's nuclear programme has been, so far.