In addition, increased domestic production of oil and gas has diminished the direct importance of the Middle East to the US. The Trump administration has distanced itself from the Middle East in myriad ways beyond demonstrating a reluctance to use military force or station soldiers in conflict zones. The Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, despite Iran’s compliance with it. This presents the Trump administration with a dilemma. In short, the Trump administration is learning that pulling back from the Middle East is neither easy nor without risks and costs.

Source: Libya Today December 18, 2019 16:30 UTC