Foreign Policy



Table Of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Background1

The Arab-Israeli Conflict3

The Importance of Middle East oil3

The Soviet Union's threat to the United States and its allies4

Change in the Foreign Policy of U.S. in the Middle East4

Israel Serving U.S. Interests6

New Strategy6

Conclusion8

Bibliography10

Foreign Policy

Introduction

The United States of America played a prominent role during the second half of the Twentieth century in the Middle East. The United States has utilized its authorities, powers and commands in the Middle East to defend and maintain its national interests. However, some interests are opposing others in some manners. The requirement of oil from the Arab countries and the defence of Israel are some examples. The outcomes of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East have modified and produced many new companions and enemies. Some enemies of America hate it so much that they have started terrorist attacks within the U.S. This matter of the foreign policy of the United States in the Middle East which has started the violence risks within America is of great concern. From the last few decades, the interests of the United States in the resources of the Middle East like the oil present in that regions are increased. U.S. is also in a hope of becoming a regional superpower and stopping and controlling the propagation of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. The United States has tried to achieve and accomplish this hard and complicated set of objectives mainly through an informal security alliances network, in which Israel and Egypt are highlighted. However, none of approaches have advanced the United States security and has been proved very expensive and costly.

Discussion

Background

United States trade and business in the Middle East by the mid 1850s had become considerable enough for the U.S. to attempt to get a commercial agreement with the Persian Empire. Trade with the Middle East region did not augment during the next four decades since the local population was not greatly impressed with American commercial, political, and religious ideas. In 1892 British Lord Curzon wrote “It is against the impregnable rock wall of Islam, as a system embracing every sphere and duty, and act of life that the waves of missionary effort beat and buffet in vain”.

In the 1930s the United States considered the significance of the Middle East as a land bridge among the continents. At this time the increasing significance of the Middle East region's contribution to the world supply of oil was becoming noticeable. Along with that the Middle East's closeness to the Soviet Union was also noteworthy. U.S. interests in the Middle East were trifling before World War II since it was considered a region subjugated by Britain and that U.S. did not have much to gain from the region. Some private individuals and groups, such as protestant disciple bodies, had clearly defined interests in the region, as did the Zionists who were working for the creation of a Jewish homeland. During World War II the United States and its European allies recognized the durable tactical worth of the Middle East ...