U.S. Persistent Approach in the Middle East: Understanding the Difficulty in Disengagement by Washington
In recent years, the United States has seen a significant shift in its foreign policy, particularly in its approach to the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. This transformation is characterised by transactional diplomacy, selective military engagement, and economic leverage.
The Middle East, once the centre of American strategic interest due to its oil resources, now sees a more limited U.S. presence. Gone are the days of large-scale interventions, as evidenced by the lack of operational presence of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and the non-existence of weapons of mass destruction. Instead, America's footprint in the region is marked by fewer ground troops, more drone strikes, intelligence sharing, and forward-operating bases. This shift towards remote warfare is exemplified in the partnership with Saudi Arabia, which is now more pragmatic and transactional, rather than rooted in formal arrangements like NATO membership.
The U.S.'s commitment to the region, however, remains strong, with America maintaining a sprawling presence across the Middle East. Troops continue to support counterterrorism missions, secure shipping lanes, and provide reassurance to allies. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt heavily rely on American military equipment, which ties them closely to U.S. defense and diplomatic structures.
Conversely, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as a key area of focus for the U.S., driven by the global strategic shift emphasising great power rivalry with China and Russia. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have prioritised this rivalry, with Trump adopting an "America First" unilateral approach that weakened alliances, and Biden pursuing a policy of "muscular multilateralism" to restore and expand alliances around Asia to counter Beijing and Moscow's influence.
The Indo-Pacific pivot involves strengthening military presence, enforcing tariffs and export controls on tech, and industrial policies to maintain technological advantages against China. This reflects the increasing recognition among experts and the public that the Indo-Pacific region represents the core arena for future global geopolitical competition and economic influence.
Despite these shifts, challenges persist. In Syria, there is a growing push for the U.S. to negotiate troop withdrawals and engage with emergent governments. In Israel, calls exist for restraining lethal weapon transfers to prevent human rights abuses. Additionally, significant cuts in funding for diplomacy and development aid, along with personnel reductions in national security institutions, may reduce the U.S.'s ability to influence the region sustainably.
In conclusion, the U.S. is navigating a new era in its foreign policy, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific and a transformed approach to the Middle East. This shift is driven by the necessity to secure technological and military advantages against rising great powers and the recognition that the Indo-Pacific region is the core arena for future global competition. However, challenges remain, particularly in maintaining sustainable influence and addressing human rights concerns in the Middle East.
[1] [Source for funding and personnel reductions] [2] [Source for Indo-Pacific pivot and great power rivalry] [3] [Source for transactional diplomacy, selective military engagement, and economic leverage] [4] [Source for Syria and Israel-related challenges]
- The Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, has been pushing for the United States to negotiate troop withdrawals, signaling a potential change in the long-standing conflict.
- Turkey, a NATO ally, has been vocal about its concerns over the U.S.'s policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding Syria and the Kurdish forces.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislations shaping the politics of the Middle East, general-news outlets report that Turkey, also known as Turkiye, is also dealing with economic struggles.
- The U.S.'s transactional diplomacy, selective military engagement, and economic leverage in the Middle East contrasts with the more aggressive approach toward China and Russia in the Indo-Pacific.
- Critics argue that the significant cuts in funding for diplomacy and development aid, as well as personnel reductions in national security institutions, may weaken the U.S.'s ability to maintain stable relations with Middle Eastern countries like Israel.
- The growing influence of Russia and China in the Middle East has resulted in a strategically important region that is becoming increasingly competitive, with the economy, security, and politics at the forefront of global attention.
