Reimagining U.S. strategy in the Middle East : sustainable partnerships, strategic investments / Dalia Dassa Kaye, [and four others].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kaye, Dalia Dassa, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States--Foreign relations--Middle East.

United States.

International relations.

Middle East.

Middle East--Foreign relations--United States.

United States--Foreign relations--Arab countries.

Arab countries.

Arab countries--Foreign relations--United States.

United States--Military policy.

Military policy.

Physical Description:

xxii, 164 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 26 cm

Other Title:

Reimagining United States strategy in the Middle East

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, Calif. : RAND Corporation, [2021]

Summary:

"U.S. policy toward the Middle East has relied heavily on military instruments of power and has focused on regional threats—particularly the Iranian threat—with the goal of keeping partners on "our side." These long-standing policies have largely fallen short of meeting core U.S. interests and adapting to new regional realities and strategic imperatives. RAND researchers offer an alternative framework, suggesting that the U.S. strategic priority must center on reducing regional conflict and the drivers of conflict. This revised strategic approach puts a greater focus on addressing conflict and socioeconomic challenges that are creating unsustainable pressures on the region's states and immense suffering among its people. Researchers analyze how the tools of U.S. policy—political, security, economic, diplomatic, and informational instruments—would need to adjust to more effectively address such challenges in ways that are mindful of limited resources at home. Researchers also examine how the United States deals with both partners and adversaries in and outside the region and consider how to better leverage policies to the benefit of U.S. interests and the region. The researchers recommend specific actions organized into the following three pillars: (1) shifting resources from the current heavy reliance on military tools to a more balanced approach that prioritizes economic investments, governance, diplomacy, and programs focused on people; (2) favoring a long-term time horizon to reduce regional conflict and support growth and development, even at the cost of short-term risks; and (3) working multilaterally with global and regional partners to address key challenges." -- from the publisher.

Contents:

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction

Why a Rethink?

U.S. Interests and Strategic Goals in a Changing Regional and Global Environment

A Road Map for Building An Alternative Regional Strategy: Organization of the Report

CHAPTER TWO: Toward Aligning Partnerships with U.S. Interests

The Rationale for Partnerships

Partnership Challenges and Mitigation Measures

Past Experience Prioritizing Among Partners

Themes of U.S. Partnerships in the Middle East

Current Prioritization of Partners

Risks of Current Prioritization

Neglected Opportunities

Toward a New Framework for Middle East Partnerships

CHAPTER THREE: Managing Adversaries

Dealing with Iran

Addressing Shi'a Militias

Syria: Mitigating the Damage

The Sunni Extremist Threat

Conclusion

CHAPTER FOUR: Global Competitors in the Middle East

Chinese and Russian Interests in the Middle East

Chinese and Russian Actions in the Middle East

China and Russia in a Reimagined U.S. Middle East Policy

Conclusion: Great Powers as an Adjunct to U.S. Policy

CHAPTER FIVE: Recalibrating Policy Tools

U.S. Policy Tools

The Case for Rebalance

Current Apportionment of U.S. Assistance

Security Cooperation

Force Posture

Changing the Balance from Military to Nonmilitary Tools: A Paradigm Shift

CHAPTER SIX: Conclusion

The Case for a Policy Reset

Strategic Adjustments Required by a New Strategy

Key Findings

Policy Recommendations

Sustainable Partnerships, Strategic Investments: Toward a New U.S. Strategy in the Middle East

APPENDIX: A. Security-Focused Grants and Sales to Middle East Partners.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781977406620

1977406629

OCLC:

1239650296