"The End of Ambition": Features of U.S. Policy in the Middle East

The author Stephen A. Cook published a book titled The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East. The book examines the role of the United States in the Middle East over past decades, detailing the successes and failures of American policies in the region. Cook delves into how U.S. interests in the Middle East have evolved, leading to a series of ambitious policies that often failed due to incorrect assumptions about the region.

Stephen A. Cook is a Senior Fellow for Middle East and North Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a non-partisan think tank dedicated to analyzing international and security policies. Cook is renowned for his deep expertise in U.S. foreign policy and international relations, particularly regarding the Middle East.

Washington’s Policy

The author discusses U.S. policies over the past decades as follows:

The Impact of the End of the Cold War on Washington’s Policies

Cook explains that the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a significant turning point in American policy. This led to a sense of overconfidence in the ability to shape a new world order. He details how the U.S. administration began to adopt ambitious policies aimed at transforming the Middle East into a democratic and stable region.

Cook reviews the U.S. efforts in the 1990s to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the Oslo Accords, explaining that these efforts were based on the assumption that peace would pave the way for democratic transformations and economic development in the region. However, they failed to achieve the desired stability.

The U.S. Invasion of Iraq Based on Incorrect Assumptions

Cook discusses the U.S. decision to invade Iraq in 2003, which aimed to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s regime and establish a democratic system in Iraq. He explains that the invasion was based on incorrect assumptions about how Iraqis would welcome U.S. forces and the ability of Americans to build a stable democracy, which led to long-term chaos and instability.

The “Arab Spring” Worsening the Situation in the Region

Cook addresses the Arab uprisings, known as the “Arab Spring,” in 2011 and how they affected U.S. policies. There was hope that these revolutions would lead to democratic transformation in the Arab world, but the results were mixed and often disappointing. He explains that the U.S. struggled to deal with these rapid changes, exacerbating the situation in countries like Syria and Libya.

Cook reviews how successive U.S. administrations gradually realized the limits of their ability to achieve democratic transformations in the Middle East. This led to a shift towards more realistic and less ambitious policies, focusing on stability and security rather than democratic transformation. He explains that this shift was a result of repeated failures in Iraq and Afghanistan and attempts to spread democracy in the region.

Obama’s Middle East Policies

Cook discusses President Barack Obama’s Middle East policies, which relied on supporting popular uprisings while trying to avoid direct military intervention. He explains that Obama sought to strike a balance between supporting democratic transformations and maintaining stability but faced significant challenges, particularly in Syria and Libya.

Obama Adopts Cautionary Policies After Revolutions Fail

Cook reviews how the Obama administration began to adopt cautionary policies after the failure of attempts to spread democracy, focusing on reducing direct military interventions. He highlights the “leading from behind” strategy adopted by Obama, which aimed to support regional allies in taking greater responsibility for maintaining security and stability.

Cook also discusses how counterterrorism became the focus of U.S. policies in the Middle East, with increased reliance on airstrikes and drones. He explains that this approach helped reduce U.S. losses but did not solve the region’s underlying problems, such as poverty and political extremism.

Washington’s Failure to Transform the Region into Democracies

Cook examines how American ambitions to transform the region into stable democracies largely failed, pointing out that these ambitions were based on unrealistic assumptions about Middle Eastern culture and politics, leading to catastrophic results.

Cook emphasizes that the lessons learned from these painful chapters suggest that the United States needs a more realistic approach to its foreign policies. He suggests that future U.S. policies should focus on achievable goals and avoid unnecessary military interventions.

Trends of Change

The author notes that Washington’s policies have varied across different U.S. administrations, as follows:

Growing Comprehensive U.S. Support for Israel

Cook begins by highlighting the beginning of U.S.-Israeli relations since the founding of Israel in 1948 and the support the United States provided to Israel in its early stages. He explains how U.S. support for Israel greatly increased after the 1967 war when Israel became a key fortress against Soviet influence in the region.

Cook discusses the significant military and economic support the United States has provided to Israel over the years, including advanced military aid and technology. He explains that this support was not only due to strategic relations but also the result of internal political pressures from pro-Israel groups in the United States. The author argues that this cooperation has contributed to the development of advanced military and intelligence technologies, making Israel one of the strongest military powers in the region.

On the other hand, Cook reviews the criticism the United States has faced due to its strong support for Israel, particularly regarding the Palestinian issue. He explains how U.S. support for Israel has angered many Arab and Islamic countries, affecting U.S. relations with these countries.

The Importance of the Nuclear Deal with Iran for the Region

Cook discusses the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran as one of Obama’s major efforts to achieve regional stability through diplomacy. He explains that the goal of the agreement was to temporarily freeze Iran’s nuclear program, allowing for the opening of a door for future dialogue and cooperation. Despite this, the agreement faced sharp criticism and led to new tensions in the region.

Trump’s Adoption of a Tougher Approach Toward Iran

Cook reviews President Donald Trump’s policies, which were based on a tougher approach toward Iran, including withdrawing from the nuclear agreement and imposing strict economic sanctions. He explains that Trump preferred to work with regional regimes to achieve stability and combat terrorism, largely ignoring calls for democratic reforms.

The Importance of Building Strong Partnerships with Middle Eastern Countries

Cook emphasizes the importance of building strong regional partnerships with key countries in the Middle East, explaining that cooperation with these countries can help achieve stability and address common challenges, such as terrorism and extremism.

Cook also discusses the ongoing challenges posed by Iran in the region, noting that U.S. policy should be cautious and balanced in dealing with Tehran. He suggests that future policies should include diplomatic talks to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons while also addressing its regional influence in non-military ways.

The Need for a Cautious and Flexible U.S. Policy in the Region

Cook highlights the key lessons learned from U.S. interventions in the Middle East, noting that large ambitions and democratic transformations were often unrealistic and led to adverse outcomes. He stresses the importance of realism in policymaking, explaining that U.S. successes in the past were due to realistic and specific goals.

In conclusion, Cook assesses current U.S. policies in the Middle East, pointing out the urgent need for a more cautious and balanced approach that focuses on stability rather than major political transformations. He explains that U.S. policies should be flexible and capable of adapting to rapid changes in the region.