Ten months into the second Trump administration, the Middle East has become a more prominent focus of U.S. foreign policy. This period was one of high operations tempo for the United States ranging from a noteworthy trip to the Gulf by President Trump and a major policy shift on Syria, to U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and the emergence of a 20-point plan for Gaza which began with the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Yet, the impact of these significant actions remains mixed as the effects of Trump’s tariffs and broader trade war may ultimately undercut these openings to strengthen bilateral relations.
Iran, Israel-Palestine, and the Houthis in Yemen remain the three major unresolved variables in the Middle East equation. While Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure suffered considerable damage from the U.S. strikes, the country retains the capabilities to cause instability by funneling support to key partners like the Houthis. The development of the Gaza plan and the release of hostages and prisoners were positive steps forward which offered a brief respite of hope after two years of war. However, the implementation of the next phases of the plan will face significant challenges, including financial support, governance, security, and reconstruction. In contrast, Syria and Lebanon present key opportunities for engagement, but this will require steady and focused diplomatic engagement.
This presentation will assess whether Trump 2.0’s overall foreign policy approach—characterized by transactional diplomacy, selective military engagement, and attempts to use America’s economic power to gain global leverage—is likely to produce a more durable and sustainable security environment in the Middle East, amid a rapidly evolving regional landscape.
Who: Brian Katulis, Middle East Institute
When: Thursday November 6, 2025 | Reception: 5:30pm | Presentation: 6:00pm | Post-Presentation Dinner: 7:15pm
Where: Flanders Market Meeting Room
About the Speaker:
Brian Katulis is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, specializing in US foreign policy and national security. He hosts the MEI podcast series Taking the Edge Off the Middle East and authors the column “Making Sense: A Regular Take on US Foreign Policy.” Katulis draws on decades of experience living and working in the Middle East, where he has forged relationships of trust and confidence across the region with top leaders in government, the private sector, media, national security, and thought leaders from a wide variety of international organizations.
As a foreign policy strategist and senior fellow, Katulis has produced influential studies that have shaped key regional policy debates and provided expert testimony to congressional committees on his findings. Prior to MEI, he was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP), where he built the center’s Middle East program. His career also includes significant experience at the National Security Council, the US Department of State, and the US Department of Defense.
Katulis co-authored The Prosperity Agenda (2008) with Nancy Soderberg, a book that examines how America’s economic advantages can be used to positively shape global dynamics. He is also frequently quoted in leading news publications and media outlets.
He holds a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs and a BA in History and Arab and Islamic Studies from Villanova University. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Amman, Jordan from 1994-1995, where he conducted a research project on the peace process between Israel and Jordan.