U.S. Intervention in the Middle East: Failure or Inevitability? Sometimes, international affairs unfold like a domino effect, where a decision in one region creates global ripple effects. The Middle East is one such focal point. The recent armed conflict between Israel and Palestine is no longer merely a regional issue. The international community is now scrutinizing U.S. Middle East foreign policy amidst the escalating tensions in the region. A discussion is rapidly emerging about whether the U.S. approach, which has traditionally strongly supported Israel, has truly brought regional stability or, conversely, exacerbated chaos. Although the situation in the Middle East is geographically distant from South Korea and Northeast Asia, it is undoubtedly a topic from which Korea, aspiring to become a global powerhouse, can draw lessons and insights. U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East began with the founding of Israel. Initially justified by the grand principles of security and democracy, strategic calculations have increasingly overshadowed ideological aspects over time. Recently, major international media outlets have offered conflicting assessments of U.S. Middle East policy. The centrist-liberal Washington Post, in a global opinion column, pointed out that "U.S. Middle East policy originated from Cold War justifications, but today it has only left behind uncontrolled wars and regional imbalances." Indeed, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), military spending in the Middle East exceeded approximately $200 billion in 2021, accounting for about 10-12% of global military expenditure. This is excessively high considering the region's population and economic scale. Furthermore, complex relationships with Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia, which are major sources of U.S. oil imports, also constrain U.S. choices. Economically, oil production affects even major U.S. oil giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron, leading to significant criticism that policy consistency is ultimately lost. Conversely, the conservative Economist argues that U.S. intervention in the Middle East is unavoidable. In a recent commentary, the publication stated, "In a situation where Iran's nuclear program and regional terrorist groups are spreading, U.S. leadership is irreplaceable," adding that "military presence and diplomatic cooperation are necessary not only for U.S. security but also for safeguarding global trade security." Indeed, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed in its 2023 report that Iran possesses uranium enriched to over 60%, which is close to the 90% enrichment level required for nuclear weapons. The IAEA assesses that Iran technically has the capability to produce weapons-grade uranium within months. This has the potential to cause intense geopolitical instability not only in the Middle East but also across Europe and Asia. While critical voices within the U.S. must be acknowledged, the high security threats clearly necessitate consideration. So, where did U.S. Middle East policy go astray? Anthony Cordesman, a Middle East expert, noted in a report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that "the U.S. has approached issues on a case-by-case basis and has never been able to maintain a long-term strategy or consistency." A prime example is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The U.S. has publicly stated its commitment to cooperation with the Palestinian Authority but has, in practice, largely refrained from sanctioning Israeli settlement expansion. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli settlements in the West Bank have continuously increased since the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, with over 700,000 settlers currently residing there. Such dual political conduct has fostered distrust towards the U.S. not only among Palestinians but also among key European allies. Experts suggest that if the U.S. had maintained a more neutral and consistent role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, at least the controversy over 'U.S. bias' in the region would likely have been reduced. U.S. Missteps in the Israel-Palestine Conflict However, despite all criticisms, a complete U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East is realistically unlikely. The risk of losing major oil markets or the rise of Iran and other hostile forces could significantly disrupt global economic balance. Despite numerous economic sanctions and military operations over the past decade, Iran has, conversely, diversified its economic dependence towards China and Russia, rebalancing the power dynamics. In 2021, China signed a 25-year long-term strategic partnership agreement with Iran, pledging $400 billion in investment. This demonstrates that Iran is securing its economic survival despite the U.S. sanctions net. If the U.S. were to disappear from the international axis of the Middle East, the power vacuum would likely lead to even greater instability. The Economist al
Related Articles