At the Middle East Forum in Washington, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, delivered a no-nonsense speech on the Trump administration’s foreign policy in the region. In front of a crowd of experts and decision-makers, she unapologetically defended Washington’s firm doctrine, evaluating it positively compared to what she calls two decades of a “culture of fear” characterized by reluctance to act or oppose.
Looking back at the state of the Middle East two and a half years ago, the envoy painted a grim yet precise picture. From Hamas attacks on Israel to Hezbollah’s actions in southern Lebanon, Houthi strikes in the Red Sea, and Iran’s expanding influence, she partly attributes these crises to the aforementioned “culture of fear.”
“The national security is not a popularity contest. The United States is currently engaged in a direct confrontation with state sponsors of terrorism,” emphasized Ortagus at the Middle East Forum in Washington.
Ortagus defended the Trump administration’s philosophy of confronting challenges, reestablishing deterrence, and exerting real costs on those challenging the regional order. She highlighted tangible results like the degradation of armed factions’ operational capabilities and the weakening of Iran’s power projection.
The economic pressure on Tehran lies at the core of this strategy, with reinforced sanctions and international pressure leading to a significant impact on Iran’s currency value and ability to fund regional proxies.
Key points from the speech include the shift from decades of avoidance policies to a firm doctrine weakening armed factions and reducing Iranian influence, and the significant strategic position held by the U.S. and its allies compared to a few years ago.
In her speech, Ortagus refuses to sugarcoat the situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining deterrence and the need for political courage over popularity in national security matters. She challenges the audience to assess the region’s current state before and after the U.S.’s reaffirmation of power, suggesting the results speak for themselves.
Ortagus’ speech boldly addresses the central question of whether stabilizing the Middle East can be achieved without accepting political and strategic costs, with her resolute answer leaving no room for doubt.
