Exploring the Reasons for the Transformation of US Strategies towards Middle East Developments in Obama Era

Subject Areas : Political and International Researches Quarterly

Dariush Shahbahrami ¹ , Ghasem Torabi ² , Aliraza Razaei ³

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Received: 2020-05-26 Accepted : 2020-05-26 Published : 2020-08-22

Keywords: Iran, Middle East, US, Obama, Shale Oil,

Abstract :

    Dariush Shahbahrami[1] Ghasem Torabi[2] Aliraza Razaei[3]   Abstract:   When Obama came to power in 2008, Washington has had to reassess its foreign policy. This led to a shift in America's approach to the Middle East. One of the most important goals of changing the Obama-era approach to the Middle East was to change from unilateralism to multilateralism. In this regard, the US approach to the nuclear case, cooperation with the P5 + 1, transatlantic relations, and the adoption of a multilateral diplomatic strategy toward Iran can be seen as effects of Obama's multilateralism strategy. In fact, the main question is: what was the reason for the change in US foreign policy toward the Middle East between 2008 and 2016? In response, it can be said that the vast costs and limited benefits of the past US interventionist policy in the Middle East, shale oil economization in the US and the decline of the strategic importance of the Middle East region and US security concerns elsewhere, including in Southeast Asia, have been the causes of the shift in US strategy toward the Middle East between 2008 and 2016. But the most important signs of Obama's strategy toward Iran are: limitation of deterrence strategy against Iran, reduction in strength of multilateral sanctions and restrictions on controlling and reducing the danger of Iran.   [1] - PhD Student, International Relations, Hamadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, Iran, [e-mail] [2] - Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Branch, [e-mail], Corresponding Author. [3] - Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Branch, [e-mail]