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The Lawfare Podcast
Lawfare Daily: The End of U.S. Ambition in the Middle East with Steven Cook
Jul 31, 2024
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.
57:18
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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.
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