Even within the US’s long history of making and then breaking commitments, this century’s record of American policy in the Middle East is extraordinary. Dramatic policy shifts, broken treaties, promises made and forgotten, foolish wars, and shattering of international law and conventions—all have done substantial damage to the region and the trust extended to the US.

Republicans and Democrats conveniently point the finger at each other for America’s loss of standing in the world. In reality, this century’s administrations can share in the blame. President George W. Bush started disastrous wars and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, but Presidents Barack Obama and Joseph Biden ended both badly, compounding the damage. While Bush flaunted international law and conventions around torture, rendition, and extrajudicial targeted killings, Obama further undermined the US commitment to the rule of law by refusing to ensure accountability for these crimes.

Biden waxed eloquent defending the “international rules-based order,” but undercut himself because his commitment was selective—applying to........

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