Western containment policy in the Middle East
Hassan Rezaei
In the Middle East, the greatest concern of Western powers and Israel is the emergence of democratic and developed states. Countries that pursue the path of development and trying to strengthen their economic and military capabilities are, from the perspective of the West—particularly Israel—viewed as serious threats to their interests.
Accordingly, the prevailing Western policy toward such states rests on exerting direct or indirect influence and, if required, seeking to change their governments or ruling systems. In many states of the region, ruling institutions are compelled to align with Western powers.
The United States, its European allies, and Israel not only refuse to tolerate the rise of powerful rivals, but also act proactively to prevent such developments.
Within this framework, any attempt by Middle Eastern states to enhance their power—if not aligned with U.S. and Israeli preferences—is met with both “soft” and “hard” measures, including military action.
For Western powers, the nature of political systems in the Middle East—whether authoritarian or democratic—is of less importance; for them, the priority is controlling the region.
Within this context, countries such as Iran hold a special position in Western strategic calculations due to their geopolitical and strategic significance. Iran, for instance, possesses vast energy resources, a highly strategic geographical location, and a substantial population—factors that have enabled it to withstand Western pressure. This resilience is far from desirable in the eyes of the West.
The United States and its allies consistently work to contain and prevent the rise of countries pursuing military and economic development. Like other Western states, U.S. foreign policy is based on national interests, and it defines its strategic objectives in the Middle East as preventing the emergence of rival powers—not fostering democracies that could conflict with Western interests.
It is worth noting that freeing the region from Western and American influence is a complex and difficult process, achievable only through intelligent and effective policies by regional leaders and political elites.
At the end, it should be added, any internal inefficiency within Middle Eastern countries can turn into a practical and effective tool for Western powers and Israel to contain and control these societies.
The views expressed in this note are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TECODH. TECODH (2003) is a private, non-profit research company dedicated to innovation in social sciences. It publishes analytical articles and organizes academic meetings and workshops, and provides a platform for the exchange of ideas. 12 August 2025.