The End of Ambition: A Conversation with Steven Cook
Jun 12, 2024
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Author Steven Cook discusses America's past, present, and future in the Middle East with David Rothkopf. They explore US foreign policy failures, challenges in the region, and the need for tailored policies. The conversation delves into the US relationship with the Middle East post-Cold War, key interests like counter-terrorism and climate change, and the Biden administration's struggles in balancing values-driven foreign policy with engaging controversial leaders in the region.
America's foreign policy in the Middle East needs a shift towards pragmatism and achievable national interests.
US must adapt its policies in the Middle East to changing global dynamics and focus on energy security and counter-terrorism efforts.
Deep dives
The US Foreign Policy in the Middle East
The podcast delves into the complexities of US foreign policy in the Middle East, highlighting the challenges and failures encountered since the Iraq War. The discussion emphasizes a shift towards a more strategic and realistic approach, focusing on the importance of identifying achievable national interests and aligning policies accordingly. By evaluating past ambitions and reassessing objectives within the region, the podcast advocates for a more pragmatic and sustainable foreign policy strategy.
Reevaluating Strategic Interests
The episode addresses the evolving strategic interests of the United States in the Middle East, emphasizing the need to prioritize key factors such as energy security, Israel's policy dynamics, counter-terrorism efforts, climate change, non-proliferation, and great power competition. It underscores the significance of adapting US policy to reflect changing global dynamics while reshaping relationships in the region based on current and achievable national interests.
Challenges of Idealism in Foreign Policy
Furthermore, the podcast critiques the challenges posed by idealistic approaches in American foreign policy, particularly in the context of democracy promotion and social engineering in the Middle East. The discussion underscores the limitations of externally imposed reforms and highlights the complexities of promoting democracy in regions resistant to external influence. It advocates for a more nuanced and self-aware stance in US foreign policy engagements.
Striving for Common Sense Diplomacy
The podcast advocates for a balanced and pragmatic approach to diplomacy in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of common sense and common decency in foreign policy decisions. By rejecting extreme realist or idealist viewpoints, the episode promotes a Goldilocks approach, seeking a middle ground that combines rationality with ethical considerations. It highlights the significance of maintaining a constructive yet realistic stance in navigating the complexities of the region.
The US can’t seem to figure out the Middle East. Decades of involvement in the region has had mixed results to say the least. So where did we go wrong? Steven Cook, author of the new book “The End of Ambition” joins David Rothkopf to explain America’s past, present, and future in the Middle East.