Goodbye to All That?: Washing U.S. Hands of the Middle East is a Notion That’s as Futile as it is Appealing

Publication Date: January 2008

Publisher: Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace

Author(s): Thomas H. Henriksen

Research Area: Government

Keywords: U. S. History; National Security; Middle East

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Might we not be better off just leaving the Middle East alone? No. The United States has been continually involved with conflict from the Middle East region since as far back as the formation of the U.S. government. This article provides a brief timeline of the history of conflicts between the Middle East and the West, particularly the United States. Though it is tempting to ponder, the fact is that the the odds of a pre-9/11 restoration of security are virtually nil. To contain and arrest the spread of terrorism, the United States needs to operate in the Middle East.