The Aftermath of Donald Trump's Foreign Policy in the Middle East. What Are the New Administration's Major Objectives? Case Study: Saudi Arabia

Ghet Anis I. S.
National University of Political Science and Public Administration - Bucharest, Romania

Abstract

Over the decades, US-Saudi cooperation established a unique nature-based on common international interests, particularly in the Middle East, culminating in the historic deal reached in 1974 to guarantee Saudi oil in exchange for American security commitments. The bilateral relationship has continued in this direction for nearly sixty years, but it appears that this friendship is heading down a tense path as a consequence of the policies pursued by the previous US administration headed by Donald Trump, who has stated from the start of his presidency that Saudi Arabia and other allied countries must pay in exchange for US protection. Another perspective is that the new US administration is progressively forsaking Saudi security interests in terms of security. For example, the White House halted a planned deal to sell arms to Riyadh, removed the Houthis from the list of terrorist groups, and lifted US support for the Arab coalition's operations in Yemen without announcing a transition in US focus away from the Middle East region and toward Asia and the extension of Chinese hegemony in the South China Sea. This paper summarizes the variations in the relationship between the two countries, beginning with former President Donald Trump and the obstacles he left behind and evolving to the current policy during President Joe Biden's time in office. Furthermore, it formulates an analytical view that allows us to understand the upcoming challenges, including the Yemeni file, the Iranian nuclear agreement, the shape of the forces, and the influence affecting the region.

Presentation