Saturday, 22 February 2014

Current US Foreign Policy In The Middle East

By Krystal Branch


Changing political environment has placed the current US foreign policy in the Middle East under test. Different governments over the years have shown disparity in their tackling of issues affecting the region. The sensitivity of this relationship reminds people that the region was strategically a European stronghold considering that they defeated the Ottoman rule.

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.

Oil prices are an important factor when dealing with Middle East countries. This makes the region strategically important to American interests. The allies that exist in this area include Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Afghanistan. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar also fall among American allies. Their membership in Nato has always been questioned and led to cold relations with America.

Control of the area is exercised through aid, military support and hosting of major military bases. The nuclear weapons are also aimed at subduing rivalry with neighboring states so that total control can be exercised. The war in Iraq by the Bush administration was aimed at establishing a strong and supportive government that would safeguard American interests. The invasion shook the relationship with the world and called for an evaluation of policies regarding that region.

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.

Another issue that is likely to divide the Arab states is a nuclear agreement that was entered with Iraq. While America invaded the nation in an attempt to get rid of such weapons yet it has made an about turn. The government is not yet stable which poses a risk to her neighbors. Israel has been at the center of all nuclear confrontations with her neighbors. This is bound to raise tension among nations surrounding them for a long while.

Russian and Asian economic giants are gaining ground by offering better deals than America. Russia has been at the center of the Syrian crisis at the expense of America. The instability in Egypt is blamed on American indecisiveness which saw Mubarak forcibly removed despite his pro-west stand. The unstable policies guided by change in governance are causing concerns to Gulf States.

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.




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