1.

In relation to the four characteristics of successful

strategies in Figure 1.1, assess the US government's
Middle East strategy since the invasion of Iraq in
2003.
The four characteristics of successful strategies are
clarity of purpose, consistency, realism, and
resourcefulness. Applying these criteria to the US
government's Middle East strategy since the invasion of
Iraq in 2003, we can make the following assessment:
1. Clarity of purpose: The US government's purpose in
invading Iraq was to eliminate weapons of mass
destruction (WMDs) and remove Saddam Hussein from
power. However, after it became clear that there were
no WMDs, the US shifted its purpose to promoting
democracy and stability in Iraq and the wider Middle
East. This lack of clarity from the outset undermined
the overall success of the strategy.
2. Consistency: The US government's Middle East
strategy has lacked consistency. The US has pursued
different goals and tactics in different countries, and has
often changed its approach depending on the political
climate. For example, the US supported the Arab Spring
uprisings in some countries while opposing them in
others. The lack of consistency has led to confusion and
uncertainty about US intentions and has made it
difficult to build trust and cooperation with regional
partners.
3. Realism: The US government's Middle East strategy
has often been unrealistic. The belief that democracy
could be easily established in Iraq and the wider Middle
East was a particularly unrealistic assumption.
Moreover, the US has often underestimated the
complexity and resilience of local political systems and
the influence of regional and global actors. This lack of
realism has led to a series of policy failures and
setbacks.