Publication

This brief argues that the US does not have to choose between its immediate security interests in the Middle East or supporting broader institutional reforms in the region. The problem is that Washington’s existing policies, which include sustaining poorly governed and dysfunctional states, aren’t helping address the symptoms of dysfunction – i.e., political-religious extremism, failing economies, political illegitimacy and more. Basically, the US needs to change its policies so they focus on these root-cause problems.