https://arab.news/wuq3u
The US National Security Strategy unveiled by the US administration marks a sharp departure from the post-Second World War era. For over seven decades, Washington has cast itself as the guardian of a global order built on alliances, democratic promotion, and military interventions to reshape nations. The new security strategy, however, pivots to an “America First” doctrine. It promises to avoid endless wars, reject nation-building abroad, and redirect focus toward the Western Hemisphere. This approach treats foreign policy as a business deal; alliances endure only if they yield clear gains.
Yet, this strategy feels less like a detailed road map and more like a mood board scattered collection of slogans and images that inspire but fail to guide. In a world reshaped by rising powers, economic realignments, and eroding trust in US leadership, such vagueness risks leaving America — and its partners — adrift.
For the Arab region, long entangled in Washington’s orbit, the implications are profound. The Middle East is no longer a perpetual crisis zone demanding US troops. Instead, it emerges as a marketplace for investments in energy, technology, and defense. But this optimism overlooks harsh realities: America’s internal fractures, its diminished moral standing after the Gaza conflict, and the rapid rise of multipolar forces led by China. Arab states must now prioritize self-reliance, forging diverse partnerships to navigate this uncertain terrain. Drawing lessons from the Gulf’s pragmatic diversification, the region can build a more secure, prosperous future.
