New Books in Middle Eastern Studies Middle East on the Brink: Escalation, Diplomacy, and the Search for Stability
Nov 24, 2024
Wynne Dayton, a retired senior member of the U.S. Foreign Service and former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, dives deep into the Middle East's escalating tensions. He sheds light on the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and past intervention challenges. Notably, Dayton discusses Elon Musk's surprising diplomatic engagement with Iran and how it could shape future relations. He also examines Israel's critical role in recent conflicts and the potential consequences for its global standing and U.S. ties, offering a compelling analysis of the region's intricate landscape.
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Ryan Crocker's Prescient Warning
- Wynne Dayton recounts Ryan Crocker's skepticism about supporting the Syrian opposition during the Arab Spring.
- Crocker predicted the Assad regime's brutal response and the opposition's inability to withstand it, proving prescient.
Obama's No-Fly Zone Resistance
- Dayton recalls the pressure on the Obama administration to establish a no-fly zone in Syria.
- Obama resisted, demanding a clear path to success and protection of US interests, which advocates couldn't provide.
Shifting US Foreign Policy
- There's a declining bipartisan consensus on nation-building in US foreign policy.
- A greater reluctance now exists for open-ended commitments and interventions in conflicts against authoritarian regimes.
