AN OVERVIEW OF THE US AND EUROPEAN POLICIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

The Middle East has long been recognised as a problematic region and even more so when viewed from the general perspective of international diplomacy and specifically, great power foreign policy. One of the foremost reasons why the 'Middle East question' is such a thorny one with respect to the US, Britain and Europe may ultimately be put down to their long and 'troubled' involvement and engagement in the region. Even so, it is the intention of this essay to provide a snapshot of the roles played and the policy decisions of the aforementioned actors and how these have impacted on the politics of the region itself.