Kushner's Real Estate Approach to Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny

An investigation by The New Yorker reveals that Jared Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law and a key negotiator, approaches international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, with a real estate deal mindset. Journalist Dexter Filkins reports that Kushner integrates foreign policy with the management of his private investment fund, Affinity Partners, which manages $4.8 billion and is funded by Gulf states. According to former U.S. officials, Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff treated the Ukraine war as a "real estate deal," proposing a peace plan that would have required Kyiv to cede territory, abandon NATO aspirations, and reduce its armed forces. European intelligence reports also suggested potential future business ventures with Russia, such as restarting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline under U.S. control, though Kushner's representatives deny any personal enrichment motives.

This business-oriented approach was also evident in other diplomatic efforts. In February 2026, Kushner and Witkoff engaged in complex negotiations with Iran in Geneva without a nuclear technical advisor, reportedly hindering their ability to assess Tehran's counter-proposals before U.S. and Israeli strikes. At the Davos forum, Kushner presented "Project Dawn," a $112 billion post-war reconstruction plan for Gaza featuring high-speed trains and luxury high-rises, to be funded by international donors and private investors.

Kushner's fund, Affinity Partners, has secured $2 billion from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and $1.5 billion from the UAE and Qatar. While the fund has reached $4.8 billion in assets, it has already earned $157 million in commissions, having invested only a third of the capital raised. Despite the White House stating Kushner serves without compensation, ethics experts point to a significant conflict of interest, as he negotiates foreign policy with nations whose entities fund his private business. Kushner himself refutes these claims, arguing his business acumen leads to more effective outcomes than traditional diplomacy.