This book examines US foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the region’s key role in the practice and evolution of American exceptionalism. The political developments in the Eastern Mediterranean during the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, gave to the US opportunities to express, in the most explicit way, its anti-colonialism, the fervent support of open and democratic societies, and its willingness to openly confront tyranny and oppression whenever this was possible (or necessary) for American interests. Since that time, the region has been a testing ground for the core elements of American foreign policy deployed worldwide. The monograph shows the contributions of the United States during critical moments in the region, such as the First Barbary War (1801-1805), the introduction of Truman Doctrine, Washington’s role in the Suez Crisis, the Greek junta and the Imia Crisis of 1996. It also scrutinizes the different levels of the economic, military and diplomatic challenges which China, Russia and Turkey present today, while it also covers the American approach to the Arab Spring. From a ‘Shining City on a Hill’ to the current ‘Make America Great Again’ mottoes, this critique follows American Foreign Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the strong bonds that the nation established with the geostrategic, political and ideological features of the region. The pace of recent events, and the increasing complexity of this global corner, prove a challenge to America today; the future and clarion call that hard work and the finest ingenuity are necessary to keep its regional hegemony, and its course toward increased prosperity. This work’s goal is to inspire the conversations by academics, diplomats, leaders (both political and military) and most of all businessmen, to this end.

Recent years have seen dramatic changes in the eastern Mediterranean, offering new challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy toward its long-standing allies, Turkey and Greece. Washington is in a position to consolidate positive changes in the region and to strengthen its relationships with Ankara and Athens in ways that support key objectives in the Balkans, Eurasia and the Middle East, and also within NATO. Policy toward both countries can no longer be conceived in strictly bilateral terms, but can and should be seen as a complex, reflecting issues that cut across traditional geographic lines.

Recent years have seen dramatic changes in the eastern Mediterranean, offering new challenges and opportunities for U.S. policy toward its long-standing allies, Turkey and Greece. Washington is in a position to consolidate positive changes in the region and to strengthen its relationships with Ankara and Athens in ways that support key objectives in the Balkans, Eurasia and the Middle East, and also within NATO. Policy toward both countries can no longer be conceived in strictly bilateral terms, but can and should be seen as a complex, reflecting issues that cut across traditional geographic lines.

Eastern Mediterranean energy : challenges and opportunities for U.S. regional priorities : joint hearing before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, second session, September 8, 2016.

Eastern Mediterranean energy : challenges and opportunities for U.S. regional priorities : joint hearing before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, second session, September 8, 2016.

This report explores the changing strategic environment in southern Europe and the Mediterranean, its effects on the countries of NATO's Southern Region--Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey--and the implications for U.S. policy and strategy. The Southern Region faces significant security and security-related challenges beyond the Cold War. The "threat from the south" is not simply or even primarily a military one--many of Europe's security-related concerns, including the problems of migration and political friction between Islam and the West, are felt most keenly in southern Europe. New regional arrangements reflect a pattern of activism across the Southern Region relevant to U.S. interests and policy. NATO's southern allies are increasingly willing to contribute to NATO and European rapid response initiatives for contingencies on the European periphery. Foreign and security policies across the region--except for Turkey--are increasingly framed in European terms. But the Southern Region countries share a post-Cold War interest in the U.S. presence as an instrument of regional deterrence and political reassurance. 125 pp. Bibliog.