Usa Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Successes, Failures, and Future Prospects

U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Successes, Failures, and Future Prospects

The influence of the United States on the Middle East is irrefutable, ranging over the course of the 20th century from overtures of alliance to war. Guided by its strategic economic or political interests, the U.S.’s foreign policy in the Arab World has experienced both positive and negative outcomes. Establishing itself as a key player in the region, the U.S. has therefore not only been praised and criticized for its decisions, but also continues to face obstacles in maintaining its expressed role as a proponent of democracy, security, and development in the region.

Determined to ensure stability in the region and protect oil resources, especially post-WWII, U.S. foreign policy has varied, being based more on how crucial the matter was U.S. national interests rather than the potential impact it would have on the local situation. A pattern that consistently emerges in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, Washington’s decisions have greatly been coupled with external factors, whether be it the concern over Soviet influence or a commitment to the Zionist cause. Whether the decision to enter Iraq, the sanctions on Iran, or the rejectionist policy towards the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the U.S.’s ambitious agenda for a democratic and stable Middle East has fallen short, the most recent instability only pointing out the obvious lack thereof. With the Arab World becoming the primary focus and forefront of U.S. foreign policy under the Bush Administration, the U.S.’s more aggressive front on issues like the threat of Iran and radical extremism has been successful on several fronts: it kept Arab neighbors out during the war; it helped topple Saddam and the power of the Taliban; and it provided support to the end of tyrant dictatorial regimes. However, despite these successes, such costly endeavors did little to settle the feelings of “anti-Americanism” or promote development in the region. Although asking “why do they hate us?” the policies of past administrations have created more of divide in addressing this question, than a bridge.

This shortcoming of U.S. foreign policy in the Arab world can primarily be attributed to the lack of a cohesive and consistent strategy. The miscalculations and failures