When Washington wavers, the Middle East pays the price
By Kamran Yeganegi
Foreign policy expert
At a time when the United States remains one of the most influential actors in global politics, growing signs of dysfunction in Washington’s decision-making process are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The roots of this disruption lie not in external shocks, but in deep and persistent divisions within US domestic politics. Reports and analysis in outlets such as the Washington Post paint a consistent picture of political polarization, institutional fatigue, and the erosion of consensus in the American system of governance. The consequences of this instability do not stop at US borders. The Middle East is among the first regions to feel its impact.
In international politics, the internal dynamics of major powers invariably shape their external behavior. As political fragmentation intensifies in the United States and policy coordination becomes more difficult, American foreign policy tends to grow more reactive, less predictable, and increasingly driven by short-term domestic considerations. For the Middle East—a region long accustomed to the strategic weight of US decisions—this volatility translates into heightened uncertainty and shrinking space for long-term planning.
Washington’s growing preoccupation with internal crises, from electoral rivalries to institutional deadlock, has gradually pushed foreign policy into the background or, worse, turned it into a tool for domestic political consumption.
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