The U.S. National Security Strategy document, published by the White House on November 25th, indicates that the country no longer considers the Middle East as the centerpiece of its foreign policy.
The document states: ‘The days when the Middle East played a dominant role in U.S. foreign policy both in long-term planning and in its day-to-day execution have thankfully come to an end.’
According to the document, the U.S. strategy has not changed because the Middle East is no longer important, but the change stems from the fact that the region is not, unlike in the past, a ‘potential source of catastrophe.’
As per the document, Iran’s influence in the Middle East has been weakened through U.S. actions, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is on the verge of being resolved. Israel’s security remains a priority for the United States, but efforts are now focused on preventing direct conflict and expanding the Abraham Accords to more countries. The U.S. stated that this way, ‘the region becomes a place for cooperation, friendship, and investment.
In the document, Syria is still referred to as ‘a problem’ that must be transformed into a stable and constructive player, with the support of the U.S. and other countries, and reclaim its ‘deserved’ position in the region.
The document notes that the United States has diversified its energy supply chains and significantly reduced its economic dependence on political developments in the Middle East.
Nothing is mentioned about developments in Afghanistan in this document.
