week9

Among this week’s readings, the perspective of “Biden and Mother Nature Have Reshaped the Middle East” (Thomas L. 2021) caught my attention. The author argues that the U.S. can return to engaging the Middle East, not through the current diplomacy of force, but through peaceful ecological diplomacy, such as a “Green Blue Deal” centered on the sun and fresh water. Through this ecosystem diplomacy, the U.S. would be present as a “trusted mediator that creates healthy interdependence.” It is now clear that the United States’ influence in the Middle East has diminished, and Middle Eastern countries’ trust in the United States has eroded. If the U.S. continues to intervene in the Middle East in a way that is inconsistent from administration to administration, it could have devastating consequences. The U.S. may consider reducing its involvement in the Middle East to a minimum, but this could lead to international criticism of its “America First” attitude, disruption of peace in the region, and risk to U.S. national security. This is where “soft power” diplomacy can be an attractive alternative. Fostering partnerships based on mutual interests, such as fostering economic partnerships, promoting regional development, investing in renewable energy, and supporting regional dialogue platforms, could bolster healthy U.S. diplomatic engagement. If successful, such soft power could allow the United States to contribute constructively to pursuing peace and stability in the Middle East. While this seems like an attractive option, the question is how stable and long-term these platforms can be maintained in an unstable region.