There’s a strong consensus that the United States has a poor track record in the Middle East—but disagreement about how to craft a better approach.
There’s a strong consensus that the United States has devoted too much time and too many resources to “endless wars” in the Middle East—but substantial disagreement about how to craft a better approach.
“Trump is not the first president to promise a lighter touch in the Middle East only to be drawn in, reluctantly but deeply,” Daniel Benaim and Jake Sullivan write in a new essay. “The United States has repeatedly tried using military means to produce unachievable outcomes in the Middle East. Now it’s time to try using aggressive diplomacy to produce more sustainable results.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo outlines the thinking behind the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Iran. Michael S. Doran argues that, to its credit, the administration has shattered the illusions many still hold about power dynamics in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Brett McGurk contends that the “maximum pressure” policy toward Iran is undermining broader U.S. foreign policy priorities, and Martin Indyk writes that the Trump administration’s effort to reshape the Middle Eastern order has no chance of succeeding. Finally, Mara Karlin and Tamara Cofman Wittes call on Washington to recognize its limitations and reduce its involvement in the region. This special election coverage is made possible in part by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. Subscribe Today and Save 55% New Subscribers Get a Free eBook |
