The Arab-Israeli conflict and the U.S.: Carter’s foreign policy

This dissertation examines U.S. foreign policy toward the Arab–Israeli conflict during the Carter administration (1977–1981) by comparing official policy narratives with scholarly interpretations. Using documents from the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) series as primary sources and academic interpretations as secondary sources, the study analyses how Carter’s diplomatic goals, decision-making processes, and mediation efforts were articulated by policymakers and later interpreted by scholars. By contrasting these perspectives, the research identifies key discrepancies and underlying biases in both official and academic accounts, while also tracing how interpretations of U.S. foreign policy have evolved over time. This comparative approach provides insight into Carter’s role in the conflict and highlights broader debates about American mediation, presidential agency, and the limits of U.S. influence in the Middle East.