The Effects of American Hegemony on the Course of International Relations in the Middle East

Abstract

Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the United States introduced a series of principles and frameworks aimed at shaping the emerging global order. This new model centered on promoting democracy, human rights, and openness to the free world, while establishing dominance over strategically critical regions such as the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf. The objective was to construct a regional framework in the Middle East that would enhance Israel’s influence while marginalizing the Arab role and depleting the sources of power in Arab states by dismantling several of them, imposing specific policies on their governments and regimes, and enforcing sanctions and blockades to neutralize and contain them.

American hegemony in the Middle East has remained a dominant force in the region for decades, shaping the political, economic, and social orientations of countries across the region. The United States has reinforced its influence through various means, including military intervention, economic aid, and diplomatic pressure.

However, shifts in the global balance of power and the emergence of rising powers such as China, Russia, and the European Union have led to diverse reactions to U.S. hegemony in the Middle East. These responses reflect the region’s critical importance within the broader landscape of ongoing international conflicts and transformations.

Keywords: U.S. Hegemony, Middle East, International Relations, Global Power Shifts, Geopolitical Influence.