US foreign policy in the Middle East. (c2015)

Abstract

The Middle East region has long been an area of interest to the United States. In the last two decades, the United States' interventions in the Middle East and North Africa region have been associated with a claimed promotion of democracy and human rights. Other foreign policy goals have claimed regional stability objectives. Despite the dominance of democracy promotion throughout the post-91 1, stability priority advocates remained critical of President Bush's foreign policy agenda. This thesis explores the relationship between democracy promotion and stabilization within the context of U.S. Middle Eastern foreign policy rapprochement. Whether the U.S. foreign policy interest is best served through authoritarian stabilizers or liberal democrats is a primary theme. A comparative analysis between the Bush and Obama's doctrines is undertaken in order to reveal aspects of contentions and reconciliations. Revelations are made that correspond to foreign policy shifts and adaptations toward post-Arab spring states.