UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOREIGN POLICY AND THE MIDDLE EAST CRISES: AN ASSESSMENT OF DONALD TRUMP’S REGIME, 2017-2021

Abstract

This study interrogated U.S Foreign Policy in the Middle East: An Assessment of Donald Trump Administration, 2017-2021. The study was anchored on realist theory as theoretical framework. The study argued that the core concern of Donald Trump was to enhance the prosperity of Americans by disengaging in deep engagements with Middle East crisis. This perspective will facilitate in looking inwards to problems of America domestically which informed his position of Americans first policy. Trump’s character impacted in lack of grand strategy in dealing with broader issues of foreign policy in the Middle East. The study posits that the regimes declaration of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel complicated the peace process in the Middle East as whole. Its romance with authoritarian regimes, its withdrawal from the JCPOA, lack of political reform as long term foreign policy of the U.S in Middle East region complicates the volatile area which increased regional competition for power and worsened instability. All these diminished U.S standing in global affairs as a partner to be trusted in world affairs. It recommends among others for President Donald Trump to moderate his style of governance in the area of foreign policy this second term in office especially when dealing with middle east crises and its peculiar challenges, and he urgently need to repair the damage done to the image of the U.S hegemony by his previous administration internationally.