The narrative that America is “pivoting away” from the Middle East is misleading. True — the strategic focus has shifted to the Indo-Pacific, but oil prices, shipping lanes, and counterterrorism don’t care about U.S. priorities. Iran is expanding influence through proxies from Yemen to Syria. Russia is deepening ties with regional powers. China is investing billions in infrastructure deals, buying influence without firing a shot. If America retreats completely, it won’t leave a vacuum — it’ll leave a crowded battlefield of interests, and U.S. influence will shrink faster than most policymakers admit. Sometimes, maintaining presence isn’t about fighting wars. It’s about keeping the door locked so your rivals can’t move in. #Military #MiddleEast #Geopolitics