Bangladesh, May 12 -- For decades, American foreign policy in the Middle East was built on a confusing blend of idealism, guilt, and miscalculated interventionism. It often prioritized abstract moral narratives over hard national interests. But a seismic shift has occurred. Under Donald Trumps leadership – both during his first term and now four months into his second – a new grand strategy has emerged: a model based not on fantasy, but on transactional realism. This approach may ultimately redefine Americas role in the Middle East, with consequences that extend far beyond the region.

Many attribute the rise of transactional diplomacy to Trump, and rightly so. Yet transactionalism, when executed wisely, is not simply a cold e...