ASSESSING BIDEN’S MIDDLE EAST POLICY, ONE YEAR IN
The MED This Week newsletter provides expert analysis and informed insights on the most significant developments in the MENA region, bringing together unique opinions on the topic and reliable foresight on future scenarios. Today, we turn the spotlight on the first year of the Biden administration, focusing on the evolution of the US’ approach to several key policy issues concerning the Middle East.
January 20th, 2022 marks the first anniversary of Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. One year into his presidency, Biden has only partially been able to give a new direction to US policy towards the Middle East. Like for previous administrations, the MENA region represents less of a priority for the current US president, and the “pivot to Asia” has compelled Biden to focus his foreign policy efforts on other scenarios. Nevertheless, Biden’s approach to the MENA region has departed on several issues from the one of the Trump administration. On the one hand, Biden has radically inverted his predecessor’s “maximum pressure” approach towards Iran. Talks for the revival of the Iranian nuclear deal are currently taking place in Vienna, and Biden has adopted a less confrontational approach vis-à-vis Tehran. This choice has contributed to the stabilization of Iraq and is in line with the normalization trends that are emerging in the region. Biden’s foreign and regional policy priorities have also contributed to a reduced US engagement in Syria, for which the new US administration seems to lack a clear strategy. On the other hand, the pillars of US policy in the Middle East are still in place. Biden has attempted to have a more balanced approach towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, relations with Israel and Egypt remain positive. At the same time, the US is still deeply committed to the security of Gulf monarchies. Still, Washington is increasingly concerned about the growing relations between its GCC partners and China, together with the lack of tangible achievements in Yemen. As for Turkey, relations remain uneasy due to the numerous frictions that have damaged their bilateral ties (namely Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system). Nonetheless, both parties share a mutual interest in having suitable dialogue channels, in light of Ankara’s critical role as a NATO strategic partner in the Middle East and in the fight against terrorism.
Experts from the ISPI MED network react to Joe Biden’s Middle East policy, one year into his inauguration.
