Lawfare Daily: The End of U.S. Ambition in the Middle East with Steven Cook
Jul 31, 2024
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Steven Cook, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and author, dives deep into U.S. involvement in the Middle East. He discusses the complexities of aligning American values with regional realities and critiques past U.S. foreign policies. Key topics include the strategic importance of oil, the balancing act between human rights and alliances, and the evolving U.S. interests amid changing energy dynamics. Cook emphasizes the need for pragmatic approaches to enhance stability and supports reevaluating U.S. strategies in the region.
The U.S. has historically prioritized energy security from the Middle East, shaping its military and diplomatic strategies accordingly.
Post-9/11 U.S. foreign policy aimed at transformative change often resulted in instability, necessitating a shift towards stability-focused strategies.
Prudential Conservatism advocates for a realistic approach in the Middle East, balancing U.S. interests with the complexities of regional politics.
Deep dives
Core U.S. Interests in the Middle East
The United States has historically viewed its interests in the Middle East through the lens of energy security, particularly in relation to oil. Following World War II, access to Middle Eastern oil became crucial not only for U.S. economic health but also for maintaining competitive advantages against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The strategic importance of energy resources led the U.S. to increase its military presence in the region, especially after the British withdrawal in 1971. As global energy demands change, the nature of U.S. involvement in the Middle East must adapt, although maintaining a level of engagement remains essential due to the ongoing importance of energy resources.
Failures of Transformative U.S. Policy
U.S. attempts at transformative policies in the Middle East have often led to unintended consequences and regional instability. The post-Cold War era marked a shift where U.S. officials believed they could redefine political dynamics in the region, such as through the peace process and democracy promotion following 9/11. However, these efforts frequently yielded little to no positive results and often exacerbated existing issues, particularly in countries like Iraq and Libya. The realization that U.S. foreign policy should focus more on preventing threats and ensuring stability may reshape future strategies to align with more prudent and achievable goals.
Prudential Conservatism as a Strategy
The concept of Prudential Conservatism emphasizes a balanced approach to U.S. interests in the Middle East, prioritizing stability over ambitious transformations. This strategy calls for recognizing the reality of regional politics and determining practical measures that reinforce U.S. objectives, such as energy security and Israeli security. While acknowledging the moral dilemmas of supporting certain regimes, maintaining existing partnerships can prove beneficial for long-term U.S. interests. Rather than pursuing idealistic goals, this pragmatic philosophy encourages focus on actions that foster peace and security in the region.
The Challenges of Balancing Values and Interests
U.S. policymakers often struggle to reconcile the conflict between American values, such as democracy and human rights, and strategic interests that may necessitate working with authoritarian regimes. The complexities of this balance are evident in contemporary U.S.-Saudi relations, marked by criticism over human rights abuses juxtaposed with energy and economic ties. Congressional pressures and public sentiment increasingly complicate this dynamic, pushing for more accountability while still requiring strong relationships with key regional partners. Understanding these intricacies is vital for formulating foreign policy that is sustainable and reflects both values and practical considerations.
Future Directions for U.S. Policy in the Middle East
Looking ahead, U.S. policy must be recalibrated to emphasize pragmatic engagement rather than aggressive transformation or full withdrawal from the region. This includes focusing on core interests like energy stability, counter-terrorism, and non-proliferation, while preparing for challenges from great power competition, primarily from China. Enhancing regional cooperation and adapting to changing geopolitical dynamics, especially concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, are crucial for future U.S. influence. These efforts require acknowledging past failures and reshaping objectives to better align them with achievable outcomes that can sustain American interests in a historically complex environment.
For this episode, Lawfare General Counsel and Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sat down with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Steven Cook to discuss his new book, “The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East.” Together, they examined the United States’ long history in the Middle East, how it successfully (and unsuccessfully) pursued its interests there, and what should come next after the failed transformations of the post-9/11 era.
