THE UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY FROM 2017-2024, AND ITS IMPACT ON THE MIDDLE EAST

ABSTRACT This study examines United States foreign policy in the Middle East between 2017 and 2024, focusing on the administrations of Donald J. Trump and Joseph R. Biden. The aim of the research was to understand how the two presidents’ different approaches, Trump’s “America First” policy and Biden’s return to multilateralism, shaped events and outcomes in the Middle East. A qualitative research design was used, relying on secondary data such as government documents, journal articles, think tank reports, and credible news sources. The analysis followed a thematic method, which allowed the study to identify the main patterns in each administration’s policies and compare their impacts on regional actors. The findings show that Trump’s foreign policy was unilateral and transactional. His withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and the signing of the Abraham Accords strengthened ties with Israel and some Arab states but weakened U.S. credibility as a neutral mediator and worsened tensions with Iran. Biden, in contrast, emphasized diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. He restored humanitarian aid to Palestinians, attempted but failed to revive the JCPOA, managed conflicts such as Yemen and Syria, and responded to the 2023 Gaza crisis. His policies rebuilt some trust but also revealed contradictions, as U.S. support for Israel continued despite human rights concerns. Regional responses were mixed, and rival powers like Russia and China expanded their influence during this period. The study concludes that U.S. power in the Middle East is shifting. Both Trump and Biden showed signs of reduced willingness to commit to long wars or state-building, pointing to a future where U.S. engagement is more limited, selective, and contested within a multipolar regional order.