The Trump administration's new Iran strategy, as highlighted by Pompeo in his first public speech, will negatively affect the lives of ordinary Iranians rather than the ruling elites

In the last two weeks, two moves of U.S. foreign policymakers have demonstrated the basic problems of their strategy, potentially challenging Washington's own interests and international relations.

The U.S. government's decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem is a turning point in history and will fuel instability and violence in the Middle East

In the recent past, the foreign policy decision-making mechanism in Washington, D.C. probably has never been this complicated.

If the U.S. really wants to withdraw from Syria and stop meddling in Middle Eastern politics, it should start by reconsidering the ideological profiles of major policy makers in Washington

In one of the most debated books in the U.S., "Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of the Nations," Amy Chua, a Yale University professor, wrote about how identity politics abroad is often missed by the U.S. and how this negligence has generated major failures in U.S. foreign policy.

The Americans make promises behind closed doors with no intention of keeping them and continue taking steps that place Turkish interests at risk

Washington's risky game with the YPG and Turkey's severe military response to this organization has a potential to bring the strategic cooperation between these two countries to the brink of collapse.

U.S. officials responsible for Washington's Syria policy have been suffering from a lapse of reason when it comes to judging Turkey's priorities. It would appear that they are content with the prospect of driving Turkey-U.S. relations to the ground by ignoring Ankara's concerns about the PKK-affiliated People's Protection Units (YPG) presence in northern Syria.

The YPG is the Syrian arm of the outlawed PKK that has been fighting against the Turkish state for years, so it is impossible for Ankara to accept any presence of these militants near its borders

When Daesh first emerged, the U.S. chastised Turkey for condoning it. However, while Turkey was fighting on the ground in Azaz, Jarablus and al-Bab, the U.S. did not provide enough air support.

With or without Obama's policies, it is high time for the Trump administration to do something in the Middle East

For Trump, who previously called climate change "a hoax" and closely followed the advice of Steve Bannon, the headmaster tasked to preserve his populist appeal since the campaign trail, the decision is simply meant to realize a campaign pledge.

The timing of the decision to arm the YPG played into the hands of certain groups that had been lobbying against a fresh start between Washington and Ankara

The Raqqa operation, which is expected to be the next step in the fight against Daesh terrorists in Syria, can achieve success only with the support of legitimate local actors

The already weakened ties with allies in the region due to former U.S. President Obama's policies may receive another blow after the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, unless Trump is quick to take action to fix ties