As the United States leads a multinational effort to rebuild Gaza after years of conflict, echoes of past American nation-building ventures in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming into focus. Despite President Donald Trump's previous opposition to such large-scale foreign interventions, the current initiative involves significant US resources and coordination with international partners to stabilize and reconstruct Gaza, aiming for a prosperous, demilitarized territory free from Hamas control.

While the plan emphasizes economic development and the training of local security forces, officials are keen to avoid labeling the effort as 'nation-building.' However, the involvement of experienced figures from previous Middle East interventions, such as former British prime minister Tony Blair, and the establishment of teams to develop Gaza's civilian institutions, suggest parallels to earlier US-led reconstruction campaigns.

The challenges faced in Iraq and Afghanistan—such as corruption, ineffective local governance, and the risk of long-term entanglement—serve as cautionary tales. As the US and its allies press ahead, questions remain about the scale and sustainability of their commitment, and whether this new approach can avoid the pitfalls of previous interventions.