Outcomes in the Middle East have been and will continue to be largely determined by local actors, not external powers. Looking at America’s policies in the Middle East, a simple question emerges: What exactly are we doing? To understand why the United States is stuck in the Middle East, it is helpful to know some history. The Cold War’s end should have caused American policymakers to re-evaluate their interests and commitment to the Middle East. The United States, however, must prioritize and decide where and whether its intervention is helpful.

Source: New York Times May 14, 2024 13:27 UTC