A DECADE OF POLICY CHANGE FOR THE USA IN THE MIDDLE EAST (2011-2022)

Abstract

This article aims to explore US objectives in the Middle East after the
Arab Spring spread throughout the region. America started to take a keen
interest in this region after the Second World War which lasts till now due to
some economic and security issues. After 2011, when the revolutions were in full
swing, regime change in Iraq caused the United States to change its policies
even against its long-time friendly countries in that region, apparently defying
long-standing American security policies. Consequently, this policy shift in the
United States increased uncertainty in the minds of regional players as to what
they could expect from America. Importantly, this research paper focuses on US
foreign policy objectives in the region during this decade between 2011 and
2021, primarily controlling its military bases, protecting Israeli sovereignty,
strategic access to oil, the defence of friendly states, and finally the fight against
terrorist organizations such as (Hamas, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria). In addition, this research determines other key elements that could
affect the interests of the United States (US) and its regional friends. To
investigate the policy decisions and actions of the United States as well as the
interests of its allies in the region between 2011 and 2011, data is collected from
primary and secondary sources. The data is carefully analyzed keeping a
historical view of the regional socio-economic and political situation. The
theoretical study uses a descriptive approach to examine how events in the
Middle East after 2011 influenced US foreign policy. Unrest, local wars, and
insecurity in the region have been found to have had a massive impact on the
economy, national protection, and U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region. The
dreams of the US reporting abroad in the Middle East are more dependent on
maintaining stable relations with (allies) and knowing the nature of the conflicts.
This research study will pave the way for researchers, policy analysts, and
practitioners by measuring the extent to which the US-Middle East relationship
has changed during this decade.
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