MACMILLAN US Foreign Policy in the Middle East: The Case for Continuity

This book provides a comprehensive historical overview of US foreign policy in the Middle East using the theoretical framework of offensive realism and highlighting the role of geography and regional power distribution in guiding foreign policy. It argues that the US has been pursuing the same geostrategic interests from President Truman’s policy of containment to President Obama’s speak softly and carry a big stick policy, and contends that the US-Iran relationship has been largely characterized by continued cooperation due to shared geostrategic interests. The book highlights the continuity in US foreign policy over the last seven decades and offers a prediction for US foreign policy in reaction to current and future global events. As such, it will serve as a reference guide for not only scholars but also policy analysts and practitioners. Review “Whereas most students of U.S. Middle East policy see big shifts over time, Bledar Prifti argues there has actually been remarkable continuity. Geopolitics, which are at the heart of his story, leave American policy makers little choice but to concentrate on preventing the rise of a hegemon in that critically important region. This is a smart and interesting book that deserves to be widely read.” (John J. Mearsheimer, R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago, USA) “The book provides a comprehensive and balanced analysis of US policy toward the Middle East. It is one of the best in the field; and therefore a must read for anyone who is interested in understanding US policy in this important region of the world.” (George Klay Kieh, Jr., Professor of Political Science, University of West Georgia, USA) About the Author Bledar Prifti is Assistant Professor of Political Science at St. Petersburg College and Instructor of International Studies at University of South Florida, USA. His field of expertise is US foreign policy in the Middle East.