Desk Report,
Will Arab countries ever get this chance to show courage?
The Middle East is at a crossroads. A crucial one. The Gulf states must seize the opportunity to exert strategic influence. Otherwise, they will be left with nothing but rubble.
By all accounts, the Middle East seems to be at a crossroads. For more than a decade, the United States has been trying to move away from its energy-intensive role in the region. The United States’ strategic focus is now on Asia.
Will Arab countries ever get this chance to show courage?
Former President Barack Obama is a proponent of the Asia-Pacific pivot. Since then, every US administration has tried to withdraw from the Middle East. But each time, they have been embroiled in some crisis. Many times, the crisis was not of their making. And it was not entirely under their control.
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Will Arab countries get this chance to show courage again?
Written by:
Andreas Krieg
Updated: 20 June 2025, 15:56
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Iranian missile hits building in central IsraelPhoto: Reuters
The Middle East is now at a crossroads. A very important crossroads. At this moment, the Gulf states must seize the opportunity to expand their strategic influence. Otherwise, all they will be left with is to clear the rubble.
By all accounts, the Middle East seems to be at a crossroads. For more than a decade, the United States has been trying to move away from its dominant position in the region. The strategic focus of the United States is now on Asia.
Former President Barack Obama was a proponent of the Asia-Pacific pivot. Since then, every US administration has tried to withdraw from the Middle East. But each time, they have been embroiled in some crisis in the region. Many times, the crisis was not of their making. And it was not entirely under their control.
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A real opportunity to strategically withdraw from the Middle East arose at the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term. His administration has reduced neo-conservative influence and emphasized an ‘America First’ policy. Through this, the Gulf states receive a clear message that the United States is withdrawing from the Middle East. The Gulf states, therefore, were poised to step into the void left by the US withdrawal, not just as financiers, but as strategists.
Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia were eager to seize the opportunity. They were working with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to build a new framework with Tehran over nuclear weapons. A regional settlement was emerging. The Gulf states felt they were no longer just patrons, but now strategists. They were moving towards economic integration and integrated planning.
If they could move forward in this way, it could be a historic moment for the Middle East. Interdependence and nonviolent leadership could take the place of war.
