The Intricate Pursuit of American Strategy in the Middle East

U.S. relations with the Middle East are more complicated than ever, and now is the time for careful diplomacy rather than clear and simple strategy.
Ever since a fruit vendor in Tunisia set himself on fire in December 2010, Americans have watched as revolutions have brought dramatic change to the Middle East. Dictators have fallen, democratic elections have taken place, and militias and terrorist groups have sought to capitalize on instability and confusion. The people of these countries have taken to the streets to express their frustration and anger with economic stagnation, political corruption, and abuses of human rights. The situation from country to country varies dramatically: civil war in Syria, a tense standoff between the military and the civilian government in Egypt, and the struggle to control militias in Libya. Amidst all this, there has been a rise in anti-American sentiment, especially with the recent release of the incendiary film “The Innocence of Muslims.” In response, protests have erupted across the Middle East, some encouraged by political leaders and some, as in the tragic case of Libya, used by terrorists as an opportunity for violence.The U.S. remains an important actor in the Middle East. It has critical economic and security ties to the region, and its financial and military aid gives it some leverage with regional leaders. A stable, prosperous, and democratic Middle East is certainly in the interest of the U.S. and of the world. However, the role of the U.S. in promoting that goal is not so straightforward.Presidential candidate Mitt Romney wrote in the Wall Street Journal about the Middle East, “[President Obama] does not understand that an American policy that lacks resolve can provoke aggression and encourage disorder.” He argued that President Obama has not articulated a clear strategy for America’s response to the Arab Spring, and that the lack of strategy is encouraging the instability, anger, and violence sweeping the region.The aggression and disorder stemming from the Middle East are not the result of a lack of a clear American strategy. If Mr. Romney wants to understand the dynamics of the current conflicts and politics in the Middle East, he should look to history, to economic data, and to the diverse chorus of Middle Eastern voices demanding change. Above all, he should examine how different the conditions are in each Middle Eastern country.Clear, simple strategies are ideal, but nothing is clear or simple about the Middle East right now. This is a moment for careful diplomacy and a concerted effort to build ties with new leaders and to understand how they envision the future of their countries and the region. This is not a moment for sweeping statements or red lines that can draw the U.S. into an unnecessary conflict. As historians of Eisenhower’s presidency have pointed out, keeping America out of conflict is not a flashy or grand role, but one that is unceasingly attuned to detail and nuance.The U.S. must continue to reiterate its overarching commitment to security and prosperity in the Middle East and pair this message with nuanced diplomacy tailored for the specific situation in each Middle Eastern country. To best address the challenges of American strategy in the Middle East, Mitt Romney should join President Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton in calling for Congress to provide more funding for critical American diplomatic activities in the Middle East. The Middle East Incentive Fund of $770 million proposed in the State Department’s FY 2013 budget is a good starting point. The fund is intended to help the State Department respond to the Arab Spring and provide aid to emerging democracies and civil societies. U.S.-Middle East relations will remain complex and dynamic for many years to come. The U.S. should take care not to oversimplify its relationship with the Middle East, lest it fail to take advantage of opportunities to encourage peace and prosperity.

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