U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Part 1

Why has the U.S. spent decades intervening in the Middle East — and what do those policies really serve? In this lecture, Dr. Roy Casagranda breaks down the core motivations behind U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, tracing a throughline from Cold War strategy to post-9/11 militarism. Roy challenges mainstream narratives by exposing how U.S. actions have prioritized power projection and resource control over democracy or peace. He unpacks key events and patterns, including American support for authoritarian regimes, the consequences of arming regional actors, and the long shadow of oil politics. This is not just a history lesson — it’s a provocative exploration of the costs, contradictions, and consequences of American policy across the Arab and Muslim world. Whether you’re studying international relations, political science, or Middle East history, this lecture offers an unflinching look at what drives American power abroad. ~~~ 🔉 Dr. Roy Casagranda Podcast 🔉 Podcast Spotify ▶ https://open.spotify.com/show/6aebF9B... Apple Podcast ▶ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ~~~ 00:00:00 Introduction: A Framework for Power 00:03:02 Why the U.S. Cares About the Middle East 00:08:45 Defining the "Middle East" 00:14:28 Empire, Religion, and Strategic Geography 00:21:03 Cold War Thinking and Containment 00:27:18 Oil and the Real U.S. Interests 00:33:59 The Soviet Threat Narrative 00:38:47 Support for Authoritarian Regimes 00:43:32 Iran and the 1953 Coup 00:49:18 The Impact of Israel on U.S. Policy 00:55:40 Arms Sales, Proxy Wars, and Blowback 01:02:05 The U.S.–Saudi Relationship 01:08:12 Afghanistan and the Creation of al-Qaeda 01:15:26 Iraq and the Myth of Democracy Promotion 01:22:51 The Pattern of American Intervention 01:30:00 How U.S. Policy Fuels Extremism 01:37:43 Media Narratives and Public Perception 01:44:56 Imperial Strategy vs. Human Rights 01:51:38 Final Analysis: The Cost of Control 01:57:40 Audience Q&A and Closing Reflections #USForeignPolicy #MiddleEastHistory #AmericanEmpire ~~~ © Dr. Roy Casagranda – All Rights Reserved All video content featuring Dr. Roy Casagranda is the intellectual property of Dr. Roy Casagranda. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or re-uploading of this content—whether in full or in part—is strictly prohibited. This includes audio extractions, edited versions, impersonation accounts, and reposts across platforms. We actively monitor and enforce copyright claims. Repeat or willful violations may result in takedowns, account strikes, or legal action.