Pyrrhic defeat and American foreign policy in the Middle East: Achieving success through failure

Abstract

This paper examines U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East from a political-military perspective. Using Pyrrhic defeat theory (success through failure), one could explicate the intentions and consequences of American involvement in the Middle East region. By taking into consideration the prevalence of U.S. involvement through decades of building and maintaining military bases, arms sales, and political intrusion and involvement in the region, a clear pattern has come to light. Examination of this pattern demonstrates that U.S. foreign policy revolves around a policy of failure for decades. That such failure, although originally unintended, works out to U.S. advantage, ensuring a lasting economic and political involvement based on military Keynesianism and a justification for U.S. political involvement.

Keywords: U.S. foreign policy, Middle East, military, military bases, military expenditure, defense contractors, defense department, pentagon.