Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs has delivered a scathing critique of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, attributing much of the region’s ongoing instability to Washington’s unwavering alliance with Israel’s far-right leadership. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Sachs stated that American interference, encouraged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has led to devastating consequences across the region. He specifically pointed to covert operations such as the CIA’s Timber Sycamore, which he claims played a significant role in instigating the Syrian civil war, reported the Times of India.
Sachs further accused Israel of actively pushing for armed conflict with Iran, citing a history of Israeli involvement in promoting multiple wars. He highlighted that Israel has allegedly supported six previous wars, further contributing to the destabilization of the region. According to Sachs, these interventions have made it nearly impossible to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
In his remarks, Sachs emphasized that achieving peace in the region is contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state, a goal that remains widely supported internationally but faces substantial opposition from both the U.S. and Israel. Sachs argued that countries with a deeper regional understanding, such as Türkiye, could play a pivotal role in guiding U.S. policy towards peace, and ultimately, a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
