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U.S. National Security Strategy Toward the Middle East: A Broader Strategic Imperative

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 By Professor Mohammed Ihsan

U.S. National Security Strategy Toward the Middle East: A Broader Strategic Imperative

For decades, the United States has largely interpreted the Middle East through a threat-centric lens, emphasizing terrorism, regional instability, nuclear proliferation, and the protection of Israel. While these concerns are undeniably real, this narrow framing often obscures the region’s broader geopolitical and economic significance. The Middle East is frequently portrayed as a problematic or unstable zone, yet it plays an essential role in global energy security, global trade, and great-power competition. Overlooking these dimensions creates a strategic imbalance that limits America’s ability to shape long-term outcomes in the region.

The Middle East remains a core pillar of the global energy system. Although the world is gradually transitioning toward renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to power much of the global economy, and the region still contains roughly a quarter of the world’s energy resources. The stability of Middle Eastern energy production is closely linked to global economic health. When the region experiences conflict or supply disruptions, energy prices surge, supply chains buckle, and economic ripple effects are felt worldwide. This reality makes the Middle East not merely a security challenge but an indispensable energy anchor for the international system.

Its importance is further amplified by the presence of several of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. The Suez Canal serves as the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, meaning that any disruption instantly affects global commerce. The Strait of Hormuz, often referred to as the Gulf channel, is the world’s most vital transit point for oil and liquefied natural gas. Meanwhile, the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea corridor connects trade flows between the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and major African and Asian markets. Together, these waterways form a strategic bridge between North and South, East and West. Their security is therefore not simply a regional concern but a cornerstone of global trade stability. Any serious U.S. strategy must account for the fact that maritime security in the Middle East directly influences global supply chains and American economic interests.

Despite this, U.S. policy has often remained heavily centered on ensuring Israel’s security. While Israel is a critical ally, its long-term safety cannot be safeguarded in isolation from the broader regional environment. Instability in Gaza, Lebanon, the Red Sea, or the Gulf inevitably reverberates across the entire region and ultimately affects Israel as well. In reality, Israel’s security is interconnected with Middle Eastern security as a whole. A stable regional order, robust economic partnerships, and effective conflict management benefit not only Arab states and global markets but Israel itself. A policy focused solely on Israel risks ignoring the structural conditions that determine whether the broader region becomes more stable or more volatile.

At the same time, Russia and China have recognized the long-term strategic value of the Middle East and are expanding their presence rapidly. China views the region as vital to its energy supply, its Belt and Road Initiative, and its efforts to cultivate economic spheres of influence. Russia leverages arms sales, political alliances, and energy cooperation to cultivate relationships with governments seeking alternatives to American security partnerships. Both Moscow and Beijing see the Middle East not as a burden to manage but as a strategic region worth competing for. If the United States reduces its engagement or frames its presence purely in defensive terms, it risks ceding influence to powers whose interests and values may diverge sharply from its own.

A more balanced and forward-looking U.S. strategy should recognize that the Middle East is not defined solely by its challenges but also by its strategic potential. The region’s energy resources, its critical waterways, its economic markets, and its role in global competition make it a central arena for shaping the future of international politics. Ensuring regional stability, strengthening partnerships beyond the traditional ones, and promoting economic and diplomatic engagement are all essential components of a strategy that secures both U.S. interests and global stability. This broader vision acknowledges that Israel’s security, regional security, and global stability are mutually reinforcing, not separate priorities.