Captain Osama Shakman

In the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at the Capitol in Washington, before a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address, which lasted approximately one hour and forty-eight minutes—one of the longest speeches in the modern history of this constitutional tradition. Amid sharp applause from one side and reserved silence from the other, clear signals emerged regarding the Middle East, carrying political and security messages that cannot be ignored.

As a retired pilot who listened to the speech in its entirety, I followed closely every paragraph that touched on our region. What is said from such a podium does not remain within the boundaries of political rhetoric; it translates into strategic decisions reflected in fleet movements, base deployments, flight plans, and rules of engagement.

When the President turned to national security issues, the Middle East appeared as a continuing arena of challenge. It was not presented as a secondary file, but as part of the equation of direct American security. The emphasis was clear: preventing the resurgence of extremist organizations and ensuring that the United States would not allow the re-creation of a security vacuum exploited by armed groups, as happened in previous phases.

The discussion of Iran came in a firm tone, underscoring the continuation of deterrence and pressure. The political message was explicit: any threat to American interests or its allies in the region would be met with a response. In military terms, such language implies maintaining high readiness levels and sustained presence at strategic points—whether through air bases, naval deployments, or missile defense systems.

The reaction inside the chamber was notable. References to Iran were met with strong applause from Republicans, while many Democrats remained visibly reserved, responding with silence. However, support for American troops stationed abroad received bipartisan applause, reflecting a traditional consensus around the military institution despite political divisions.

Regarding Israel, the speech reaffirmed the continuation of the strategic partnership and linked its security directly to U.S. national security. The President did not elaborate on the political track of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, but he reaffirmed Israel’s place among American priorities in the region. This emphasis signals that traditional alliances will remain a cornerstone of any regional equation.

Syria and Iraq were mentioned in the context of preventing the return of extremist groups and ensuring that chaos does not recur. From a purely military perspective, such phrasing implies continued aerial surveillance, the capability to conduct precision strikes when necessary, and maintaining coordination channels with allied local forces.

Notably, the speech did not announce a new large-scale intervention, nor did it propose a comprehensive withdrawal. Rather, the approach can be described as a “calculated presence”: a sustained posture that ensures rapid intervention capability without prolonged open-ended engagement. It reflects a blend of caution and readiness.

Inside the chamber, reactions mirrored the depth of America’s political divide. While Republicans frequently stood to applaud references to strength and deterrence, Democrats often remained seated. This division does not alter the substance of the external message, but it reveals that U.S. policy toward the Middle East remains a subject of domestic debate.

In sum, the State of the Union address demonstrated that the Middle East remains a constant component of the American national security equation. It was not the central theme of the speech, yet neither was it marginal. Rather, it remains a testing ground for influence, deterrence, and the management of balances of power.

The question that remains for us in the region is this: Will we continue to absorb the reverberations of decisions made beyond our borders, or will we one day succeed in formulating an independent regional security system that reduces our dependence on the calculations of major powers?

Captain Osama Shakman