Donald Trump’s presidency marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East. His approach to the region was characterized by a desire to redefine U.S. interests, prioritize national security, and reduce American involvement in what he saw as costly and ineffective conflicts. Trump’s policies in the Middle East, from confronting Iran to brokering historic normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations, had far-reaching consequences for U.S. influence in the region.
Trump’s “America First” Doctrine and Middle East Strategy
At the heart of Trump’s Middle East strategy was his “America First” doctrine, which aimed to reduce U.S. military presence in the region and focus on the direct interests of the United States. One of his key campaign promises was to extricate the U.S. from “endless wars” and instead focus on promoting stability in the region without the extensive military involvement seen under previous administrations. This approach led to major policy changes, such as the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, signaling a shift toward more diplomatic and strategic engagements rather than prolonged military interventions.
Trump’s stance on the Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), exemplified his confrontational approach to the Middle East. In 2018, Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of the agreement, arguing that the deal was insufficient to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and that it allowed the country to destabilize the region through support for militant groups. His “maximum pressure” campaign, which involved re-imposing harsh economic sanctions on Iran, aimed to force Tehran into renegotiating the deal or change its regional behavior. While this policy drew mixed reactions, it demonstrated Trump’s willingness to take bold steps to reshape U.S. influence in the region.
The Abraham Accords: A Historic Achievement for Middle East Diplomacy
One of the most significant diplomatic achievements of Trump’s administration in the Middle East was the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements brokered between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. These agreements, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and these countries, marking a historic shift in the Arab world’s approach to Israel.
The Abraham Accords reflected Trump’s broader foreign policy vision of fostering peace through economic and diplomatic ties rather than military force. His administration’s support for these agreements was seen as a major win for Israeli security and a step toward greater regional stability. The accords also demonstrated Trump’s ability to engage with Arab states in a way that was seen as groundbreaking. His close relationship with Gulf monarchies, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, played a crucial role in advancing these diplomatic breakthroughs, signaling a new era of cooperation in the Middle East.
The agreements, however, were not without controversy. Critics argued that they sidelined the Palestinian issue and did not address the core grievances of the Arab-Israeli conflict. However, from Trump’s perspective, these accords were a pragmatic approach to building regional peace, with economic and security incentives serving as a foundation for future collaboration. The legacy of the Abraham Accords continues to influence Middle East diplomacy today, with discussions ongoing about the possibility of further normalization agreements between Israel and other Arab nations.
Shifting Alliances: A New U.S. Stance on Saudi Arabia and Iran
Trump’s foreign policy also saw a shift in the U.S. relationship with key Middle Eastern powers, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran. His close ties with Saudi Arabia, epitomized by his first overseas trip to the kingdom in 2017, marked a clear departure from the more cautious approach of previous administrations. Trump’s administration prioritized strong security and economic ties with the Saudi monarchy, despite concerns about human rights violations and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Under Trump, U.S.-Saudi relations were centered on shared security concerns, particularly regarding Iran’s regional influence. Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran aligned with Saudi interests, as both countries viewed Iran as the primary threat to stability in the region. This alignment resulted in deeper cooperation on counterterrorism, military sales, and intelligence sharing. Trump’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia, despite international criticism, demonstrated his preference for pragmatic, strategic partnerships over ideological considerations.
On the other hand, Trump’s stance on Iran was confrontational and sharply different from the Obama administration’s approach. The U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the re-imposition of sanctions were designed to cripple Iran’s economy and curtail its military activities across the Middle East. While this “maximum pressure” strategy isolated Iran diplomatically, it also led to rising tensions in the region, particularly following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. This act of aggression led to retaliatory strikes by Iran, heightening fears of a full-scale conflict. Nonetheless, Trump’s policy of pressuring Iran was part of his broader goal of curbing Iranian influence and containing the threat it posed to U.S. allies in the region.
U.S. Military Presence and Withdrawal: A Redefinition of U.S. Engagement
Trump’s Middle East strategy also involved a reevaluation of U.S. military presence in the region. One of his central objectives was to reduce American involvement in long-standing conflicts, particularly in Syria and Afghanistan. Trump frequently expressed frustration with the cost and effectiveness of U.S. military interventions, such as the war in Afghanistan, which had been ongoing for nearly two decades by the time he took office.
In 2018, Trump ordered a partial withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria, citing the defeat of ISIS as a major goal achieved. While the withdrawal was met with opposition from both domestic and international stakeholders, it was a reflection of Trump’s desire to recalibrate U.S. military strategy and focus on other global priorities. Similarly, he oversaw the peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, which ultimately led to the agreement that set the stage for the U.S. military’s complete withdrawal by 2021.
Trump’s approach to military disengagement, while controversial, was aligned with his broader goal of refocusing U.S. resources and attention on strategic priorities like countering China and Russia, rather than continuing what he viewed as fruitless military engagements in the Middle East. This repositioning of U.S. influence had profound implications for regional security dynamics, particularly in terms of shifting power balances and regional alliances.
Conclusion: A Complex Legacy for U.S. Influence in the Middle East
Donald Trump’s policies in the Middle East were marked by a combination of bold actions, strategic re-alignments, and a prioritization of U.S. interests above traditional diplomatic norms. His withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, his support for the Abraham Accords, and his efforts to reduce U.S. military involvement in the region were defining features of his approach. While these actions had a profound impact on U.S. relations with Middle Eastern countries, they also contributed to a reevaluation of U.S. influence in the region.
Trump’s legacy in the Middle East is complex. His policies were praised for challenging the status quo and producing tangible results, such as the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states. However, his confrontational approach, particularly toward Iran and Saudi Arabia, also created significant regional instability. The long-term effects of Trump’s Middle East policies continue to shape the region’s geopolitical landscape, with his “America First” doctrine leaving an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy for years to come.
