The Future of U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East
October 30, 2020, 9:40 am

The Future of U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East

Dalia Ziada

The dominating state of extreme political polarization among the American citizens is making it really difficult to predict the results of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, in November. Here we are a few days apart from the voting day, and reputable public opinion surveyors cannot predict wether Trump or Biden has a higher potential for victory. However, only one of two scenarios is expected out of this particular election, for the Middle East. Either Trump wins and thus proceed with his current foreign policy agenda in the region, or Biden wins and thus works hard to alter everything Trump’s foreign policy has accomplished. Unfortunately, Biden has not provided any clearly defined agenda on what he plans to do with the Middle East, if he becomes a president. He is only repeating the nostalgic phrases of the Obama era about adopting a new approach towards the Islamic world; except that he lacks the charisma of former president Obama.

It is not a secret that most regimes in the Middle East, excluding Iran, are hoping that the United States President Trump wins the next presidential elections, in November. The pragmatic personal diplomacy approach of the U.S. foreign policy in the region, under the Trump administration, helped all the parties in the region realize a better off status, in the past four years. That is not only true for Arab states, but also, for non-Arabic-speaking counties like Turkey and Israel.

Egypt got the space and time needed to self-recover from the economic and political failures caused by the Arab Spring and its dire aftermath.

Gulf states got a chance to firmly stand up against Qatar’s policy of using political Islamist organizations to deliberately inflict harm against its Arab neighbors and target their security and stability.

Saudi Arabia got relieved from the Iranian threat at its southern borders in Yemen, due to the extreme pressure of U.S. sanctions on the Iranian regime.

Hizbollah in Lebanon has become much weaker and less influential on local and regional levels.

Syria and Iraq were partially relieved from the Iran intervention by the killing of the Iranian General Al-Qasimi, and the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization.

Sudan is witnessing a long-waited political change that will eventually benefit, not only the Sudanese people, but also Africa and the Middle East; by putting an end to former regime’s tolerance with terrorism that turned Sudan into a hotbed for African and Middle Eastern terrorists.

Israel has, finally, been able to claim a better regional status and to get properly integrated in its regional context, thanks to the U.S. sponsored Abraham accords with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. That is in addition to the unprecedented progress in Israel’s political and security relations with its closest neighbors; Egypt and Jordan.

Turkey, despite its standing relation with Iran and Russia, and conflicting interests with the U.S, in Syria, has remained a strong ally to the United States, because of the one-on-one deals between Trump and Erdogan. Turkey’s expansionist policy in Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean has reached a peak point.

Now, what if Biden wins the elections and becomes the next U.S. President. Can Biden change the Middle East or erase the footsteps of the Trump administration in the region? In other words, would Biden’s foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa, as defined by the far-leftists of the Democratic Party, threaten the current state of relative and cautious stability in the region? That is highly unlikely. The Middle East we are living in today is much different than the Middle East of 2009, when Obama cam in power, and the Middle East of 2016, when Trump came in power. It is more stable, united, and pragmatic.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its emotional complicated echoes, is not the central issue in the region, anymore. Israel is more safe in its regional context, today, and this is something that Biden do not need to threaten or disturb.

The military powers of main regional players, namely Egypt, Israel, and Gulf stats, have grown stronger and smarter than ever before. It is in the best interest of Biden and the American people to enhance strategic and military partnerships with these countries.

The economic investment by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in balancing the political powers in the region, played a tremendous role in ensuring stability and countering the harmful effect of the triangle of evil; Turkey, Iran, and Qatar. This newly found state of relative stability is serving U.S. economic and political interests in the Middle East, as well. Biden, if he becomes a president, cannot afford the risk of shaking the well-established economic ties with Saudi and Emirates to please his supporters from the Muslim Brotherhood and their sponsor Qatar.

Turkey shall always remain a highly important strategic partner to the United States. Turkey is a NATO ally to the U.S. and the owner of the second biggest military in the NATO, after the U.S. Biden’s statements, in a New York Times interview from December 2019, about raising opposition to revolt against Erdogan, is nothing but foolish wishful thinking inspired by the legacies of the Arab Spring. Actual regime change in Turkey is highly unlikely, at least for the near future. Even if Erdogan is removed from power, he will be followed by one of the leading figures in his regime. A recent survey showed that Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar is the closest to take Erdogan’s seat.

In short, the only option Biden has, in case he becomes the next United States president, is to follow along the footsteps of Trump in the Middle East region. That is if he really wants to serve the interests of the American people and improve their future, rather than satisfying the narrow emotional interests of his Democratic Party and the far left.

Dalia Ziada

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.