The power of the president to shape U.S. relations in the Middle East and North Africa

Donald Trump promoted a nationalist “America First” approach to foreign policy throughout his campaign for the presidency. But in the months since taking office, the president appears to have softened a number of policy positions related to nations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Even after his first trip abroad, which included visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about this administration’s approach toward the MENA region. What approach will the White House adopt toward the Israeli-Palestinian peace process? Will Donald Trump uphold the Iran deal?

On June 29, Governance Studies hosted a panel of experts to discuss U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and examine how the Trump administration is likely to engage with critical issues and challenges over the next four years. Panelists also explored the ways in which politics—and the division of power between the executive and legislative branches—will affect the president’s ability to advance his goals in this area.