A National Security Strategy for The Middle East

Authors

• Vanessa Rice, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
• Rudy Torres, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
• Addy Horgan, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
• Joy Omosa, Pepperdine UniversityFollow
• Mark Westfall, Pepperdine UniversityFollow

Document Type

Capstone

Publication Date

Spring 4-2026

Keywords

U.S., United States, Middle East, Iran, America, American, national security strategy, grand strategy, strategic competition, foreign policy, deterrence, containment, regional access, influence, regional hegemony, regional stability, energy security, nuclear, nuclear deterrence, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear weapon, nuclear deal, JCPOA, military presence, sanctions, China, Russia, intelligence, security, Israel, proxies, Houthi, Hamas, Hezbollah, terrorism, counterterrorism, extremism, Hormuz, adversaries, homeland security, US interests, phased benchmark, Gulf security, maritime, cybersecurity, missile, cyberspace, Western ideals

Abstract

This National Security Strategy addresses the persistent national security challenges the United States faces in the Middle East, a region vital for global energy supply, economic connectivity, and a source of anti-American extremism. Recognizing the failures of past "haphazard experimentation," the strategy proposes a thoughtful, pragmatic plan prioritizing five distinct and congruent interest areas: Maintaining Regional Access, Supporting Regional Stability, Ensuring Energy Security, Defending American Citizens and Personnel, and Preserving and Protecting Western Ideals. The strategy outlines actions such as: countering Chinese and Russian influence through intelligence sharing and defense incentives; containing Iran via a new, permanent nuclear deal and regional economic integration; protecting critical energy infrastructure and ensuring freedom of navigation in key transit points; hardening U.S. assets and enhancing homeland defense against foreign-inspired threats; and countering extremist ideologies by disrupting online networks and enabling conditions for democratic transition in Iran. Through these measures, the Skinner administration seeks to integrate strong defense and offense, ensuring the United States and its allies are safer, freer, and better equipped to counter the region's evolving threats.

Recommended Citation

Rice, Vanessa; Torres, Rudy; Horgan, Addy; Omosa, Joy; and Westfall, Mark, "A National Security Strategy for The Middle East" (2026). Pepperdine University, School of Public Policy Capstones. Paper 13.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/sppcapstones/13