Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy
The United States has long term national interests and vital engagements across the Arab World and with Israel and Iran. This page includes key links and resources exploring those Middle Eastern relationships as well as the role of U.S. foreign policy in various regional issues and organizations including the Arab League, Organization of Ismalic States, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and more.
Why No U.S. Intervention In Syria?
The United States led the NATO intervention in Libya, but don't expect it to do so in Syria. The reasons are many and varied.
Obama's Corollary To Teddy Roosevelt's Famous Policy
President Barack Obama invokes Teddy Roosevelt's "speak softly and carry a big stick" policy in dealing with Iran.
Obama Reaffirms U.S. Support For Israel At AIPAC Meeting
President Barack Obama's speech at the March 2012 meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee reaffirmed his comittment to U.S.-Israeli relations.
Obama's Policies Toward Israel
A look at Barack Obama's policies toward Israel in light of the 2012 AIPAC meeting.
United States And The Friends Of Syria Plan
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced a three-step plan for a democratic Syria, but it faces plenty of obstacles.
U.S. Officials Angry Over Arab League Plan Failure
Russia and China's double veto in the U.N. February 4, 2012, of an Arab League plan to stop violence in Syria caused angry reactions from American officials.
Building In Afghanistan
U.S. foreign aid to Afghanistan attempts to bolster governmental and economic foundations before 2014 when Afghanistan transitions to self-sufficiency.
Talking With The Taliban
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's policy of "fight, talk, build" regarding the U.S. war in Afghanistan appeared to make progress in January 2012 as the Taliban opened an office in Qatar.
A History Of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran
While the United States has had some sort of sanction levied against Iran for most of 30 years, few of them have levered Iran into compliance with international rules regarding terrorism or nuclear energy. By early 2012, however, evidence appears to be mounting that sanctions -- both by the U.S. and its global allies -- are hurting Iran.
January 2012 Sees Worsening U.S.-Iranian Relations
Relations between the U.S. and Iran, always bad, worsened in January 2012 as Iran sentenced a captive American citizen to death and verified it was enriching uranium. Meanwhile, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited American antagonists Venezuela and Cuba.
Perry Would Send U.S. Troops back to Iraq
Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry says he would send troops back to Iraq.
U.S. Interest In The Strait of Hormuz
Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz points out the strategic value of many straits to U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. Formally Ends Iraq War
Obama, Panetta Formally End Iraq War
U.S. Opens Virtual Iranian Embassy
The United States opened a "virtual" embassy in Tehran, Iran, on December 6, 2011; within 12 hours the government of Iran blocked the site from Iranian internet users.
US Congress Blocks Aid To Palestine
The United States Congress as frozen aid to Palestine.
U.S. Foreign Policy in the Yom Kippur War, 1973
The Yom Kippur War of 1973 caused the U.S. and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to begin shuttle diplomacy to bring peace to the Middle East.
Mideast "Quartet" Counters Abbas' UN Request
Almost as quickly as Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas requested member status for Palestine in the United Nations on September 23, 2011, the so-called "Mideast Quartet" announced a counter plan of its own. The plan was unlikely to solve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine.
Road Map For Peace
The Bush administration's Road Map for Peace in the Middle East is among the many failed attempts to settle the long-running conflict between Israel and Palestine. It includes criteria that lead to a two-state solution of the feud.
What Were The Oslo Accords?
The Oslo Accords, which Israel and Palestine signed in 1993, were supposed to end the decades-old fight between them. Hesitation on both sides, however, derailed the process, leaving the United States and other entities once again trying to mediate an end to the Middle East conflict.
Early U.S.-Palestinian Relations
The U.S., Israel and Palestine have a long history of rocky diplomatic relations.
U.S. Wants To Secure Weapons In Libya
The collapse of the Qaddafi regime in Libya puts new emphasis on one of the U.S. State Department's major policy components -- conventional weapons nonproliferation.
Hikers' Sentences Add to US-Iranian Tensions
Iran's sentencing of two American hikers to eight years in prison further strains U.S.-Iranian relations.
Treasury Slaps Sanctions On Syria
The United States levied more Sanctions on Syria on August 10, 2011, as it hoped for an international "chorus of condemnation" against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The US-Egyptian Relationship
Background on the US-Egypt Relationship from Keith Porter - your About Guide to US Foreign Policy
The US-Iranian Relationship
Background on the US-Iran Relationship from Keith Porter - your About Guide to US Foreign Policy
Timeline of U.S.-Iranian Relations
A look at the US-Iranian relationship from 1953 to the present including the overthrow of the Shah, the U.S. hostage crisis, the Iran-Contra affair and more, from Keith Porter--your About Guide to U.S. Foreign Policy
The US-Israeli Relationship
Background on the US-Israel Relationship from Keith Porter - your About Guide to US Foreign Policy
Timeline of U.S.-Israeli Relations
A look at the US-Israeli relationship from 1922 to present, from Keith Porter--your About Guide to U.S. Foreign Policy
The US-Syrian Relationship
Background on the US-Syria Relationship from Keith Porter - your About Guide to US Foreign Policy
The U.S. and the Middle East Since 1945
Pierre Tristam, the About Guide to the Middle East, offers this overview of American policy toward the region starting from the Truman Administration.
The Persian Gulf
A profile of the Persian Gulf, a region with great geo-strategic significance in U.S. foreign policy, from About Guide to U.S. Foreign Policy Keith Porter.
2008 Candidates on Democracy Promotion in the Arab World
The Council on Foreign Relations offers this summary of the 2008 presidential candidate's positions on how best to promote democracy in the Arab World.
MuzzleWatch
Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace, this site tracks efforts to stifle open debate about U.S.-Israeli foreign policy.
Who Holds the Power in Iran?
This handy organizational chart explains the distribution of political power in Iran among elected and unelected bodies. Click on any of the institutions listed to learn more.
Middle East Peace
This is the main U.S State Department site covering all major developments in America's role in the Middle East peace process.
Middle East Partnership Initiative
This project of the U.S State Department represents America's best efforts to promote democracy, economic development, civil society, and open media in the Middle East.
The League of Arab States
The Arab League is the leading regional organization of states. Twenty-two nations are members.
Security in an Era of Open Arab Media
This Web documentary, including public radio material, examines the political and social impact of hundreds of free and mostly independent, Arabic language satellite television channels serving the Middle East. Al Jazeera and many other competing outlets are considered.