The old US foreign policy of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that included toppling regimes or imposing a system of governance resulted in more enemies than allies, said a top US official.
US National Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, in her opening remarks at the Manama Dialogue 2025, highlighted that the current administration under President Donald Trump is committed to working towards ‘lasting regional stability and peace’.
“As we gather here, we’re reminded that true security, stability and peace cannot be forged in isolation, but in the common collection of peacemakers working towards that common purpose,” said Ms Gabbard.
“Today, I want to speak plainly for myself as a veteran and a soldier who has seen first-hand the high cost of war, and as someone who serves under President Trump’s leadership, I have experienced the promise of peace.
“His vision is about delivering real wins, not just for America, but for our collective cause of peace and prosperity.”
Ms Gabbard is a combat veteran with three deployments to the Middle East and Africa as part of a special operations mission to counter terrorism. This included serving in Iraq and Kuwait.
In her address, she highlighted the ‘drawbacks’ of previous US foreign policies and their impact.
“The old Washington way of thinking is something we hope is in the rear view mirror and something that has held us back for too long,” she said.
“For decades, our foreign policy has been trapped in a counterproductive and endless cycle of regime change or nation-building.
“It was a one-size-fits-all approach of toppling regimes, trying to impose our system of governance on others, intervening in conflicts that were barely understood, and walking away with more enemies than allies.”
The results were trillions of dollars spent and countless lives lost, added Ms Gabbard, with the rise of Islamic terrorist groups like ISIS.
“President Trump was elected by the American people to put an end to this,” she said.
“From day one, he has shown a very different way to conduct foreign policy – one that is pragmatic, deal-driven, a very realistic approach focused on protecting American security and prosperity while engaging with the world on terms that actually make sense.”
She pointed out that during President Trump’s first term, he brokered the Abraham Accords that were signed in 2020 between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.
This treaty, she added, has helped those countries work on economic prosperity, counter-terrorism and technological innovation.
“We’ve heard President Trump and Vice President J D Vance speak just last week about their hope that the Abraham Accords will continue to grow and expand to allow for a true, lasting regional stability and peace. This is what President Trump’s America First policy looks like in action – building peace through diplomacy.”
Ms Gabbard also spoke about President Trump’s efforts to de-escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula with direct talks during his first term in office with North Korea, promoting stability in the Balkans region.
Furthermore, she added that in his current term, he secured ceasefires between India and Pakistan, Israel and Iran, peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, peace deals between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Cambodia and Thailand, and averted conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia.
“He negotiated the release of all living hostages from Hamas, while a fragile and historic ceasefire and peace plan is moving forward with integral support from many of our partners here in this room,” she added.
“America First is not about isolating ourselves. As President Trump has shown, it’s about engaging in direct diplomacy and being willing to have conversations that others are not willing to have.
“Bahrain’s own leadership, year after year, hosting these critical dialogues, shows us the way forward, convening nations from around the globe, amplifying shared stakes, and strengthening partnerships and lines of communication that allow us to resolve our differences and deliver results for our respective people.”
Ms Gabbard concluded that the US remains a partner in executing its vision as “a dealmaker who is committed to peace.”
“We look forward to continuing this path towards peace – to ending wars that have defined too many generations, unlocking prosperity for millions, and helping support the future of the Middle East.”
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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