FROM OBAMA TO TRUMP: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

Abstract

This research explores the concept of continuity in the United States foreign policy, focusing on the region of the Middle East, and the administrations of Barack Obama (2009 ¿ 2016) and Donald Trump (2017 ¿ 2020). Despite their contrasting political ideologies, with Obama¿s emphasis on multilateralism and humanitarian diplomacy against Trump¿s favour of unilateralism and national security, this research argues that the Middle East as an area of influence has been one of the main priorities of the United States, regardless of whether there was a democratic or republican administration. Through case studies on Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran, this research analyses how each administration approached military engagement, diplomatic relations, and regional alliances, as well as the impact and consequences they had. Moreover, it gives a conceptualization of the term Middle East, alongside its history and culture.