Setting conditions for a Middle East that can benefit the United States

President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Monday, July 7, 2025, at the South Portico of the White House.(Official White House photo by Daniel Torok)

Throughout my 30-year career in the United States Air Force, I saw the rise and fall of geopolitical power around the world. Yet, one thing remained constant – the United States poured substantial treasure and military manpower into the seemingly intractable conflicts in the Middle East while desperately grasping for positive strategic outcomes.