US foreign policy towards the Middle East after 2017: The Iranian nuclear program and the Palestinian issue as examples

Abstract

The contours of US foreign policy toward the Middle East after 2017 were defined within a strategic framework that leveraged the region's geographic, economic, and security importance to serve its vital interests. The region's geopolitical location as a global crossroads, along with its oil wealth and crucial maritime routes, formed the basis for continued US engagement, albeit in a more selective and flexible manner. This was reflected in the role of decision-making institutions, which redirected the instruments of power between economic pressure, military deterrence, and diplomacy. The Trump administration emerged with a pragmatic and transactional approach, linking foreign engagement to domestic returns, reducing traditional commitments, and focusing on containing adversaries and strengthening allies. In this context, Iran's nuclear program became a central focus, considered a direct threat to regional stability. This prompted Washington to withdraw from the nuclear agreement in 2018 and pursue a policy of "maximum pressure" aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities and undermining its regional influence. This approach not only aimed to prevent nuclear proliferation but also to reshape the balance of power in favor of regional allies. Conversely, the Palestinian issue represented a clear example of biased US policy. Israel's position as a strategic pillar was strengthened by ensuring its military superiority and supporting its regional integration. This culminated in the sponsorship of the Abraham Accords, which reshaped the regional landscape by shifting the priority from the Arab-Israeli conflict to the logic of security and economic alliances, while diminishing interest in the two-state solution. With the arrival of Joe Biden, there was no radical shift as much as there was a modification of the tools, as a multilateral approach was adopted that focused on regional partnerships and diplomatic de-escalation, while maintaining the core objectives, especially with regard to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and ensuring the security of (Israel). Thus, this stage reveals a continuity in objectives in exchange for a change in means, as American policy remains based on managing regional balances, preventing the emergence of hegemonic powers, and securing the flow of energy, while rearranging priorities in accordance with the transformations of the international system.