AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Power Problems
The Middle East Is a Powder Keg. Washington Is Making It Worse
Dec 26, 2023
This podcast discusses America's costly, security-first approach to the Middle East, the Biden administration's support for Israel, policy inertia, the risks of escalation and overstretch, and the increasing ineffectiveness of the use of force in U.S. foreign policy.
38:02
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The US's security-first approach to the Middle East, characterized by a heavy reliance on military power and unconditional arms transfers to Israel, has proven costly and has kept the US heavily involved in the region despite previous rhetoric of pivoting away.
- In order to reduce the burden on the United States and promote regional self-sufficiency, there is a need to invest in building the capabilities and resilience of regional partners through training for self-defense and collaboration among countries in addressing threats collectively.
Deep dives
US Response to Violence in the Middle East
The US responded to the violence and instability in the Middle East following the October 7th attack and Israel's war on Gaza by immediately providing security assistance and military aid to Israel, as well as surging US forces into the region to show support for Israel and prevent the conflict from spreading. This response was characterized by a strong emphasis on military power and unconditional arms transfers to Israel, which were veiled in secrecy. The Biden administration has not signaled any intention to acknowledge the failures of this strategy or adjust it. The US's habitual security-first approach to the Middle East has proved costly and has kept the US heavily involved in the region despite previous rhetoric of pivoting away.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode