The Re-Americanization of the Middle East

Excerpt

The United States is playing an increasingly significant role in several countries in the region. In several cases, the White House is also trying to guide countries and regions to stability. From Syria to Gaza, this has the potential to transform the Middle East. However, this strategy could draw the United States into a number of crises at a time when the White House has sought to focus on either domestic policy or larger issues in Asia and Europe. The involvement in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon should be seen through the lens of “Americanization,” an attempt to take responsibility for these key areas and push through change with new methods.

President Donald Trump hosted Syrian president Ahmad al-Shara on November 10. At around the same time, high-level American delegations travelled to Lebanon and Iraq to discuss security issues and counter-terrorism. Near the Gaza border, US soldiers from Central Command and US policymakers are discussing how to extend the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and stabilize Gaza. There have also been reports that Washington will invest in more bases in Israel.

The United States is also pushing the Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria to integrate with the new Syrian security forces. The SDF was created with US support in 2015. In addition, Syria is joining the anti-ISIS coalition. While the anti-ISIS coalition was playing a limited, although important, role in eastern Syria, it may now take on more responsibilities. 

That means that rather than drawing down troops, as the first Trump administration wanted to do in 2019 in Syria, US advice may be necessary for integrating the SDF. The anti-ISIS mission was successful because it was tailored to work “by, with, and through” the SDF. The task of the new Syrian army, integrating the left-leaning SDF with the conservative Islamic units affiliated with President Shara, will face hurdles. Will the Pentagon and the White House want to stay the course?

Seth Frantzman is the author of Drone Wars: Pioneers, Killing Machines, Artificial Intelligence and the Battle for the Future (Bombardier 2021) and an adjunct fellow at The Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post. Seth has researched and covered conflict and developments in the Middle East since 2005 with a focus on the war on ISIS, Iranian proxies, and Israeli defense policy. He covers Israeli defense industry developments for Breaking Defense and previously was Defense News’ correspondent in Israel. Follow him on X: @sfrantzman.