America Has Lost the Arab World

A new Foreign Affairs analysis by Amaney A. Jamal and Michael Robbins warns that Washington’s standing across the Arab world has cratered. The trigger is familiar and brutal: Hamas’s October 7 attack, Israel’s devastating response in Gaza, and the wider cascade of violence that followed. The human cost—tens of thousands killed, millions displaced—has reshaped public feeling. The emotional moment is clear: people who saw neighbors bombed and cities flattened now view the United States through a different, harsher lens.

Polling finds a sea change

It has been reported that surveys carried out by Arab Barometer in eight Arab states and territories from August to November 2025 show a sharp realignment. Respondents in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian territories, Syria, and Tunisia now often prefer China, Iran, and Russia to the United States and, in many cases, Europe when asked which powers protect freedoms, contribute to regional security, and support the Palestinian cause. This is not because the region suddenly loves authoritarian models; rather, Washington’s moral authority and credibility have fallen dramatically.

Diplomatic fallout and what comes next

The authors argue that the latest round of fighting — which they say was allegedly started by the United States and Israel — and Israel’s renewed operations in Lebanon will only deepen the rift. Arab public opinion matters even in authoritarian states: leaders fear mass protest and therefore may find open cooperation with the U.S. increasingly risky. The prescription is blunt: if Washington wants to keep partners, it must push for a quick end to the war with Iran and work toward a just Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Easier said than done, right?

The picture is stark and urgent. Can U.S. diplomacy stage a comeback? Maybe. But rebuilding trust after images of shattered neighborhoods and displaced families will take more than press releases and summits. It will require demonstrable, sustained changes on the ground — and fast.

Sources: foreignaffairs.com, Hacker News