Trump “America First” Doctrine and Its Impact on Iraq and the Middle East
By Saadula Aqrawi
In order to take a retrospective glance at the Trump administration’s approach to Iraq and the broader Middle East. Former President Donald Trump’s policies in this region were marked by significant shifts, prioritizing a more unilateral, America-first strategy while navigating complex geopolitics involving long standing conflicts, regional security challenges, and relations with allies and adversaries.
Mr. Mark Reyen, from Houston, believes, the “America First” Doctrine and Its Impact on Iraq. President Trump’s Middle East policy was largely shaped by his “America First” doctrine, a central tenet of his administration. This doctrine emphasized reducing U.S. military involvement overseas, prioritizing national interests, and minimizing engagement in costly foreign entanglements. One of the most notable shifts under Trump was his stance on Iraq. Following the 2003 U.S. invasion and the subsequent occupation, the relationship between Iraq and the U.S. evolved over the years, marked by the 2011 withdrawal of U.S. troops and the resurgence of ISIS. However, Trump’s policy differed significantly from previous administrations. He expressed a desire to maintain a smaller footprint in Iraq, focused on counterterrorism efforts, particularly targeting ISIS and other extremist groups. Trump also pursued a policy of pressuring Iraq’s government to assume greater responsibility for its own security.
For Iraq, the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran deal posed particular challenges. Iraq, as a country caught between U.S. and Iranian influence, faced the delicate task of balancing relations with both powers. Under Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, Iraq found itself increasingly in the crossfire. Iraqi militias aligned with Iran gained prominence in the region, complicating U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq.
Mrs. Jane Crook,( Texas University) believes that under Trump, the U.S. adopted a more confrontational stance toward Iran, which had significant implications for the broader Middle East, including Iraq. Yes, one of the Trump administration’s most significant achievements in the Middle East was the negotiation of the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aimed at normalizing diplomatic and economic relations between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
I believe that Iraq’s position was increasingly complicated, as the U.S. sought to limit Iran’s influence in Iraq and other parts of the region, while Iraq’s government, which had ties with Tehran, struggled to manage its sovereignty in the face of external pressures. The Trump administration’s strategy aimed at limiting Iran’s regional power created a security vacuum in certain areas, with Iraq becoming a critical battleground.
Also I do believe that the Trump administration’s policies toward Iraq and the Middle East were characterized by an emphasis on reducing direct military engagement, confronting Iran, and encouraging Arab-Israeli rapprochement. While Trump’s “America First” doctrine shifted the focus away from long term nation building, it left behind a complex legacy of influence and instability in the region, especially in Iraq.