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Journals / Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty / 2026 / Volume: 13 Issue: 1

Republican and Democratic Traditions in US Gulf Politics: Deciphering Trump-Biden Discrepancy

Mustafa Yetim(ESKİŞEHİR OSMANGAZİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İKTİSADİ VE İDARİ BİLİMLER FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-6013-9299
Rıdvan Kalaycı(SAKARYA UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-7569-4583
Hüsna Taş Yetim(ANKARA MEDİPOL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8581-0656
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Consequently, the Gulf region provides insight into the limits of partisanship and the resilience of strategic continuity in U.S. foreign policy.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Gulf policy during the presidencies of Donald Trump (2017-2021) and Joe Biden (2021-2025) differed significantly from each other, particularly in terms of rhetoric, but also showed relative continuity.
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Key Findings & Data:We argue that Trump’s focus on transactional partnerships with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, economic pragmatism, and steadfast opposition to Iran exemplified the Jacksonian tradition.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Consequently, the Gulf region provides insight into the limits of partisanship and the resilience of strategic continuity in U.S. foreign policy.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2017-2021 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Democratic Tradition · Donald Trump · Joe Biden

Abstract

The U.S. Gulf policy during the presidencies of Donald Trump (2017-2021) and Joe Biden (2021-2025) differed significantly from each other, particularly in terms of rhetoric, but also showed relative continuity. How can this be explained? The main argument of this study is that answer of this question lays in understanding impact of traditions on U.S. policy. We argue that Trump’s focus on transactional partnerships with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, economic pragmatism, and steadfast opposition to Iran exemplified the Jacksonian tradition. In contrast, Biden’s rebalancing of ties with the Gulf states, emphasizing diplomacy, human rights, and revitalized multilateralism, particularly by increasing Qatar’s participation in regional affairs, demonstrated the Wilsonian-democratic legacy. However, these divergent patterns are underpinned by a deeper pattern of bipartisan convergence, driven by structural imperatives such as ensuring energy security, containing Iran and guaranteeing Israel’s security. Consequently, the Gulf region provides insight into the limits of partisanship and the resilience of strategic continuity in U.S. foreign policy.

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Cite This Article

Yetim, M., Kalaycı, R., Yetim, H. T. (2026). Republican and Democratic Traditions in US Gulf Politics: Deciphering Trump-Biden Discrepancy. Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty, Volume: 13 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.30798/makuiibf.1499256

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