The US Strategic Shifts Necessary For Stability in the Middle East

Abstract

The combination of the October 7 attacks and Israel's retaliation in the Gaza Strip has brought the Middle East closer than ever to all-out war. While analysts focus on the long-running enmity between Tel Aviv and Tehran, this article contends that the region can move toward stability only with changes in US policy, especially toward Iran. Ending 40 years of hostile relations would not only help reduce the likelihood of a prolonged Israel-Iran war but also create the conditions necessary to resolve crises in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. The key is to revive the nuclear negotiations and move to a deal that can tamp down rivalries that threaten West Asian security. The author, who as an Iranian official participated in early rounds of nuclear talks in the early 2000s, analyzes the US-Iran rivalry, recommends how to move toward a nuclear-free region, and makes recommendations for shifts in American strategy.