New Publication
Research on the Middle East Policy of the United States
Author: Jodie Wen
Publisher: World Affairs Press
Publication Date: January 1, 2026
Book Synopsis: A Work Written at a "Turning Point"
Research on U.S. Policy Toward the Middle East (2009–2017) focuses on the Obama administration, systematically analyzing America’s strategic choices, policy tools, and practical outcomes in the region. It seeks to understand the formation logic and long-term impact of U.S. Middle East policy within its specific historical context.
The eight years of the Obama presidency coincided with a critical transition period as the post-Cold War "unipolar moment" faded and great-power competition re-emerged. On one hand, the U.S. attempted a strategic contraction from the Middle East to pivot toward the Asia-Pacific; on the other, it remained entangled by regional conflicts, counter-terrorism pressures, and alliance obligations. U.S. policy during this stage both continued long-standing strategic traditions and exposed institutional constraints and realistic dilemmas.
By selecting four core cases—the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the "Arab Spring" in West Asia and North Africa, the Iranian nuclear issue, and counter-terrorism policy, the book provides a detailed analysis from policy background and decision-making to implementation consequences. It illustrates the tension between U.S. Middle East policy ideals, interests, and reality. Through the reconstruction of specific decision-making scenarios, the book discusses not only the impact of national strategy and international structures but also the role and limits of the President's individual agency in specific contexts.
Distinguished from grand narratives or singular value judgments, this book consistently adopts the perspective of international order and rules, emphasizing the importance of institutions, concepts, and public sentiment in U.S. Middle East policy. It provides fresh case studies for International Relations (IR) theory and serves as a historical reference for understanding the continuities and shifts in current U.S. Middle East policy.
Amid ongoing volatility in the Middle East and recurring adjustments in U.S. policy, looking back at the Obama era may help us better understand what a major power can and cannot achieve in a complex region—and the long-term legacy left in its wake.
Expert Reviews
"While research on U.S. foreign policy and China-U.S. relations is abundant, specific research on U.S. Middle East policy remains relatively scarce. Dr. Wen Jing’s work focuses on the eight years of the Obama administration, providing an important reference for a deeper understanding of overall U.S. foreign policy."
— Da Wei, Director of the Center for Strategy and Security (CISS) at Tsinghua University; Professor in the Department of International Relations, School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University
"Focusing on the Obama administration's two terms, Dr. Wen Jing’s book offers a meticulous analysis of the core concepts and key issues of U.S. Middle East policy. It provides a key to tracing the historical evolution of U.S. policy and offers an inspiring perspective for examining current regional security challenges, such as the Iranian nuclear issue. This book is also a testament to Dr. Wen’s years of global travel and dedicated academic practice."
— Zhai Kun, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Area Studies, Peking University; Professor in the School of International Studies, Peking University
"Dr. Wen Jing’s Research on U.S. Policy Toward the Middle East (2009–2017) deeply analyzes the Obama administration's Middle East strategy, decodes the logic and impact of U.S. decision-making, and helps readers understand the changing landscape of the Middle East."
— Tang Zhichao, Researcher at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS); Vice President and Secretary-General of the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies
Author Profile: An Observer Bridging Academia and Fieldwork
Wen Jing (Jodie Wen) is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Assistant Research Fellow at the Center for Strategy and Security (CISS), Tsinghua University, and serves as the Media and Communications Manager for the China Forum. She holds a Ph.D. from Peking University specializing in Middle Eastern Studies and was a Visiting Scholar at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford. Her primary research areas include U.S. Foreign Policy, Middle Eastern Diplomacy, and International Communication.
Dr. Wen has participated in major research projects for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. She has frequently represented Chinese scholarship at international forums and China-U.S. Middle East Track II dialogues. As a senior media professional and special commentator for outlets like CCTV, Phoenix TV, and Dragon TV, she founded the independent media platform "Wen Jing Talk". She has visited over 40 countries for news reporting and field research, including extensive investigations in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Media Coverage: Book Launch Event
Phoenix News：
China Review：
https://bj.crntt.com/crn-webapp/touch/detail.jsp?coluid=93&kindid=6950&docid=107161290
China’s Diplomacy in the New Era：
https://cn.chinadiplomacy.org.cn/2026-01/21/content_118291529.shtml