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Introduction

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US Foreign Policy in the Middle East
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Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to US foreign policy in the Middle East. It starts by discussing the geopolitical importance of the region and major events involving the USA. Next, it questions whether US foreign policy toward the Middle East has been characterized by continuity or change in the last seven decades. For this purpose, it analyzes the objectives and strategies that make up US foreign policy as well as the factors that influence it. Thus, answering the question depends on discovering whether there have been changes in foreign policy objectives and strategies. In addition, it discusses the regional hegemonic status of the USA and its role as an offshore balancer in the region. The chapter concludes by providing a roadmap for the entire book.

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Prifti, B. (2017). Introduction. In: US Foreign Policy in the Middle East. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45327-9_1

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