Is the US fixation on the Middle East hindering its focus on Asia?

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The US fixation on the Middle East diverts significant resources and attention away from Asia, a region critical to the 21st century's economic and technological future.

The United States has maintained a prolonged and resource-intensive focus on the Middle East, a doctrine established in 1980 following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iranian Revolution. This strategic emphasis, originating when global reliance on Middle Eastern oil was paramount and the geopolitical landscape vastly different, has persisted despite fundamental global shifts. These shifts include the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States' emergence as a major energy producer, and the ascendant economic power of Asia. Consequently, considerable American treasure, attention, and political energy are being allocated to protracted conflicts, potentially undermining the nation's capacity to engage with and lead in the contemporary economic and technological developments centered in Asia.
Enduring Middle East Doctrine Despite Global Shifts

The US commitment to the Middle East was cemented in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter declared the Persian Gulf an essential American interest, a decision prompted by the Soviet Union's incursion into Afghanistan and the fall of the Shah in Iran. At that historical juncture, the global economy's dependence on Middle Eastern oil was substantial, and the international order was markedly different from today. Despite the passage of over four decades, the end of the Cold War, and the United States' transformation into a significant energy producer, this long-standing strategic doctrine has largely remained in place.
Diversion of Resources to Protracted Conflicts

The continued engagement in the Middle East involves substantial expenditures, with an estimated eight trillion dollars spent on post-9/11 wars alone, according to researchers at Brown University. This immense financial commitment could have funded transformative projects such as continent-wide high-speed rail networks or comprehensive education system overhauls. Instead, these resources have been channeled into conflicts that have spanned generations, leading to millions of displaced individuals and hundreds of thousands of deaths, while diverting focus from areas of emerging global economic importance.
Competing Priorities: Indo-Pacific vs. Middle East

Despite pronouncements from American presidents emphasizing the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific and the growing competition with China, the Middle East repeatedly draws the US back into crises and military deployments. This recurring pattern suggests that established geopolitical commitments can be difficult to disengage from, even when facing new global challenges and opportunities. The article posits that this persistent focus on managing existing frontiers may prevent the US from fully capitalizing on the innovations and economic growth occurring in Asian centers.
Exhaustion of Great Powers in Intractable Problems

The historical trajectory of great powers indicates a tendency to exhaust their resources and influence by attempting to resolve deeply entrenched problems in regions like the Middle East. Instead of concentrating on the dynamic economic and technological hubs in Asia, which are shaping the 21st century, the US continues to invest heavily in conflicts that have proven resistant to resolution. This approach risks hindering the nation's ability to adapt to and lead in the evolving global landscape, where future power and innovation are increasingly concentrated.

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Is the US fixation on the Middle East hindering its focus on Asia?

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