This volume explores the complex interrelationships among China, the United States, and the Middle East-what the authors call the “vital triangle.” There is surely much to be gained from continuing the conventional two-dimensional analysis-China and the United States, the United States and the Middle East, and China and the Middle East. Such scholarship has a long history and no doubt a long future. But it is the three-dimensional equation-which seeks to understand the effects of the China–Middle East relationship on the United States, the U.S.–Middle East relationship on China, and the Sino-American relationship on the Middle East-that draws the authors' attention. This approach captures the true dynamics of change in world affairs and the spiraling up and down of national interests. Central to this analysis is a belief that if any one of the three sides of this triangular relationship is unhappy, it has the power to make the other two unhappy as well. The stakes and the intimacy of the interrelationship highlight not only the importance of reaching accommodation, but also the potential payoff of agreement on common purpose.

From the ground up the story of missed opportunities, mixed messages, and mutual frustrations in American relations with Egypt at a seminal time. Unprecedented in its drawing on Egyptian official sources, Hopes Dashed sheds new light on the difficulties and challenges of a nascent relationship characterized by missed opportunities, mixed messages, and mutual frustrations. However beneficial the intentions of those on the ground, their desire for Egyptian economic development was stymied by bureaucratic obstacles both in Egypt and the United States. And as Egypt became embroiled in the Cold War, policy decisions increasingly were made at higher levels by officials more concerned with geopolitical and Arab-Israeli issues and less how U.S. assistance could help the domestic political economy of Egypt. Alterman compellingly shows how the interests of both countries diverged to eventually undermine an early American attempt at economic assistance.

This study examines the potential for a “federated defense” approach to U.S. action in the Middle East, the constraints to closer military cooperation in the region, and specific capability areas that would benefit from federated defense. Stabilizing the Middle East requires continued attention and investment from the United States and its global allies and partners. Federated defense involves building partner capabilities in a way that shares the burden of providing security in a more effective and efficient manner. Federated defense would, over time, create partner capabilities that augment and complement U.S. capabilities. Doing so requires identifying discrete areas of cooperation between the United States and its allies and partners that would leverage partner capabilities in pursuing common security objectives.

Dr. Jon Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Will Todman examine the power, water, and sanitation sectors in Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia and explore how environmentally sustainable public utilities could help bridge the trust deficit between citizens and their governments.

This new edited volume analyzes the Middle East’s political, strategic, and economic realities in 2015, looking at both old and new challenges, how political actors are evolving, and how policymakers can think strategically about the region.

"Talk of reform is on the lips of many in Morocco, from the salons to the slums, and far into the countryside. Moroccans talk about reform in their country as an imperative, and the country s young king has been a key driver. Because of that, Morocco has drawn the attention of governments in the United States and Europe, which have seen their own strategic interests being tied to economic, political, and social reform in the Middle East and North Africa. Given all of the interest in reform, are the Moroccans going about it the right way? Are outside powers playing the proper constructive role, or are they undermining their own and Moroccans efforts toward positive change? This study analyzes U.S. and European policies to promote reform in Morocco, as well as the efforts of Moroccans themselves, and it seeks to understand the most effective ways to create complementary strategies toward reform." -- Product description.

U.S. strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean is long overdue for revision. Today’s strategy was conceived 70 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose despite the continued strategic importance of the region for U.S. interests. To account for the dramatic changes that have occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean in the past two decades, it is time for the United States to create a new regional strategy that builds on common transatlantic interests, ensures European unity and security, provides greater stability in the Middle East, and safeguards state capacity against a myriad of strengthening nonstate actors. This report aims to offer such a new strategy, focusing on two priority areas: resolving the Syrian conflict, and recalibrating the relationship with Turkey. Much is at stake for the United States, and it must take a new strategic approach to the region or risk losing influence for the foreseeable future.