Category: US Middle East Policy

Trump’s quest to kick America’s ‘Iraq War syndrome’

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Responsible Statecraft, Jan 14, 2026 by Leah Schroeder (quotes Stephen Zunes)
Experts say the ‘easy’ Venezuela operation is reminiscent of George H.W. Bush’s 1989 invasion of Panama, which in part served to bury the ghosts of Vietnam
“Panama mattered because it showed the U.S. would continue intervention even after the Cold War,” said Stephen Zunes, professor of politics and Program Director for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of San Francisco. “Many people thought the end of communism meant the U.S. would become a good world citizen and stop violating international law. Panama showed the Cold War was more an excuse than the reason, and that the U.S. would continue as an imperial, interventionist power.”
But where Trump might scare away a cautious population is with impulsive comments in which he says the U.S. could “run” Venezuela for years. “What makes Venezuela more serious on certain levels is that this is not a one-and-done,” Zunes said.

Is US Moving Towards UN’s Exit Door?

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Inter Press Service by Thalif Deen, United Nations, Jan 13 2026 (quotes Zunes): “The Trump administration, however, appears to be rejecting the post-WWII international legal system as a whole. His statements, particularly since the attack on Venezuela, appear to be a throwback to the 19th-century imperial prerogatives and a rejection of modern international law.”
“As a result, it is possible that Trump could indeed pull the United States out of the United Nations and force the UN out of New York.”

Interviews: The New Protests in Iran

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Zunes’s main talking points for a series of interviews on the protests in Iran, December 28-31:

  • the protests are significant in that the bazaar is, traditionally a backbone of support for the regime, have been in the leadership of the resistance
  • there is significant poor and working class participation in the protests, unlike some previous movements which have been disproportionately students, middle class, etc.
  • U.S.-led sanctions are unjustifiable and are hurting the economy, but the regime’s corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability are the bigger problem
  • the economic problems are systemic, so changes at the Central Bank and minor adjustments in fiscal policies will not satisfy most protesters
  • the protests are already going beyond economic issues; most Iranians do want at minimum much greater democratization/accountability within the current system and an increasing number want regime change
  • the U.S. and Israel will try to take advantage of the situation, but the protests are homegrown and not the result of imperialist machinations
  • threats of military action by the U.S. and Israel with likely strengthen the Iran regime, since people tend to rally around the flag in case of outside threats and most Iranians across the political spectrum do not trust either country

Nancy Pelosi’s Dismal Record on Israel and Palestine

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The Progressive, November 20, 2025, by Stephen Zunes
There is much to admire about U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who recently announced her plan to retire in 2027 after thirty-nine years in office, including her progressive domestic agenda, superb legislative skills, and groundbreaking role as the first female Congressional leader. But we must also remember that her unwavering support for successive, rightwing Israeli governments allied her more closely with her Republican colleagues than her liberal constituents in San Francisco…

U.S. supports Israel’s atrocities

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Arab Organisation for Human Rights UK, Webinar Nov 16, 2025
Israel’s atrocities — genocide, torture, and extrajudicial executions — are made possible by U.S. military, diplomatic, and financial support. Zunes stressed that targeted killings of U.S. citizens and mounting evidence of Israeli crimes are shifting American public opinion in unprecedented ways. He highlighted the crucial role of human rights organisations and Israeli activists documenting abuses, calling this moment a rare opportunity to push for a major shift in U.S. policy.