Challenges for America in the Middle East

This book offers a contemporary analysis of the foreign policy challenges the United States faces in the Middle East and takes a close look at the critical policy dilemmas posed by radical Islam, the Arab Spring, the Shia Crescent, and Israel­–Palestine relations.

Challenges for America in the Middle East offers a comprehensive and contemporary analysis of the foreign policy challenges the United States faces in the Middle East.  It takes a close look at the critical policy dilemmas posed by radical Islam, the Arab Spring, the Shia Crescent, and Israel­–Palestine relations. Authors Richard W. Mansbach and Kirsten L. Taylor examine the issues from a historical perspective and in the context of the current state of affairs, and analyze options for future action. Throughout the text, they emphasize the interplay of foreign and domestic issues in the United States and overseas, and show how that interplay shapes American policy towards the region.

Chapter 1: Sources of American Foreign Policy
The Linkage of Domestic and Foreign Policies
Sources of U.S. Foreign Policy
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Competing Currents in U.S. Foreign Policy
Competing Currents
The Past: Competing Currents in Historical Perspective
The Present: The Impact of 9/11
Conclusion: Engagement or Disengagement?
Part I: Arab Spring or Arab Winter?
Chapter 3: America and the Arab Middle East before the Arab Spring
Sources of American Policy toward the Arab Middle East
The Arabs: World War One and After
The Middle East and Oil
The Cold War and the Arab World
Political Islam
Conclusion: Political Islam and Democracy
Chapter 4: America and the Evolution of the Arab Spring
The Arrival of Spring
Conclusion: The Middle East in an Era of Declining American Power
Chapter 5: American Options in a Changing Arab World
Egypt
Syria
Conclusion: Spring or Winter?
Part II: Radical Islam
Chapter 6: Radical Islam: Origins and Evolution
Sources of American Policy toward Radical Islam
Early Islam
Sources and Meaning of Radical Islam
The Origins and Early Evolution of al-Qaeda ("the Base")
Conclusion: American Foreign Policy and the "Green Menace"
Chapter 7: America and the War on Terror
The War on Terror Begins
Al-Qaeda and Islamic Extremism after 9/11
Regional Terrorist Groups
Iraq and Syria
The "War on Terror"
Human Rights and the War on Terror
Conclusion
Chapter 8: An End to the War on Terror?
Al-Qaeda and Its Regional Affiliates
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
"Lone Wolves"
Surveillance
Human Rights: Drone Strikes
The War on Terror
Conclusion: Terrorism Persists
Part III: Israel and Palestine
Chapter 9: America and the Evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conundrum, 1948-1967
The Birth of Israel
Sources of U.S. Policy toward Israel and the Palestinians
The Yom Kippur or October War
The Six-Day War and Its Consequences
Conclusion: Consequences of the Six-Day War
Chapter 10: America, Israel and Palestine: The Elusive Road to Peace
American Policy and the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
Conclusion: What Next?
Chapter 11: Is Israel-Palestinian Peace Possible?
Two States or One?
Israeli Settlements
Refugees
Hamas and Gaza
Economic and Resource Issues
Conclusion: Will It Ever End?
Part IV: The Shia Crescent
Chapter 12: Early American Relations with Iran and Iraq
Sources of American Policy toward Iran and Iraq
Iran, America, and Britain until the Iranian Revolution
The Birth and Evolution of Iraq
Conclusion
Chapter 13: America and the Shia Crescent: Iraq and Iran
Iraq
Iran
Conclusion
Chapter 14: American Options in Iran and Iraq
Combatting Insurgency in Iraq
Growing Iranian influence in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East
America and Its Sunni Friends
Oil Interests
Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
Israel and Iran’s “Existential Threat”
Conclusion
Chapter 15: Conclusion: America and the Complex Middle East
The Evolution of American Foreign Policy before the Cold War
After the Cold War
Contemporary Middle East Challenges
What Next?