Current US Foreign Policy In The Middle East

By Krystal Branch


World politics have influenced the current US foreign policy in the Middle East over the years. America has responded depending on shifting global issues and successive governments. The region was controlled by European countries before the world wars especially after they defeated the Ottoman Empire. This area is very sensitive and has mixed political, religious and social issues.

The view of Americans as untainted and respectable people existed before the Second World War. Americans were viewed as the source of modern medicine, education, oil experts and other transformational institutions. They did not display the duplicity and selfishness that was associated with Europeans. The sharing of natural resources, especially oil heralded a need to cement positions based on national interests.

The economy of America delicately requires oil and thus is always interested in such regions for personal security. This has made it necessary to have such allies as Jordan, Israel, Afghanistan, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt and Kuwait. Other allies of America include Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Some of these countries are closely tied to NATO which strains their relationship with America.

Some ways used by America to maintain influence are hosting large military bases and weapon hauls, provision of military support during wars and humanitarian or economic aid. The increasing importance of nuclear weapons has also influenced the issues for this key region. Iraq was invaded by Bush administration with the aim of installing a friendly government. This has defined relationships with other countries considering the oil reserves and how strategic the country was.

With the current conflict in Syria, there is a call for proactive approach in this region. The reentry of Russia into world politics has caused jitters in most regions and diluted American influence. There is evidence that America is loosing grip of the region especially after it failed to take a decisive action against Assad. Continued war has divided Arab states and made the intervention by America unwelcome.

Arab states are divided by the debate on nuclear technology as different countries in this area show their interest in developing such systems. Iraq signed a deal with America that has brought tension between states who consider the government as unstable. The never ending conflict between Palestine and Israel is a major test and determines relationships between any nation and the region.

Some Asian countries and Russia are asserting more influence at the Persian Gulf at the expense of America. The Syrian crisis revealed waning influence of America among Arab nations. America was considered responsible for the ouster of Mubarak despite his policies which were West-oriented. The fact that democrats and republicans have shown divergent policies on this region has led to instability.

Iran poses a big threat to the current US foreign policy in the Middle East. Some of the Gulf States are not comfortable with its nuclear ambitions. Bahrain has been vocal about this concern and has not wasted any opportunity to show displeasure. America seeks to safeguard its current allies and win new ones in the region.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment