Topic: Gulf States

The 2025 National Security Strategy outlines a core U.S. interest in ending hostilities in Ukraine and preventing NATO from becoming a perpetually expanding alliance. In the Middle East, the strategy seeks to move away from 50 years of superpower competition toward revitalized alliances with Arab partners and Israel. This shift is framed as treating regional players as independent nations rather than geopolitical pawns.

Reports suggest that weapons intended for "moderate" rebels in Syria frequently end up in the hands of Al-Qaeda and Al-Nusra. A German journalist highlighted how groups often change their names to "Free Syrian Army" simply to acquire American weapons, a practice allegedly well-known to U.S. intelligence.