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Michael Eisenstadt David Pollock How the United States Benefits ...

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2 | The Enduring Strategic Logic<br />

U.S. INTERESTS in <strong>the</strong> Middle East today<br />

remain much as <strong>the</strong>y have been for decades: ensuring<br />

<strong>the</strong> free flow of oil at reasonable prices; safeguarding<br />

<strong>the</strong> security of Israel as well as Washington’s<br />

Arab allies from external threats; preventing<br />

<strong>the</strong> emergence of a hostile regional hegemon (in<br />

<strong>the</strong> past, Iraq under Saddam Hussein; today, <strong>the</strong><br />

Islamic Republic of Iran); halting <strong>the</strong> spread of<br />

missiles and weapons of mass destruction (WMD),<br />

especially nuclear weapons; and defeating violent<br />

extremism and terrorism. And since <strong>the</strong> Arab<br />

uprisings, one can add to this list: supporting political<br />

reform and peaceful democratic transitions in<br />

<strong>the</strong> region.<br />

Geos

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