Academic and strategic expert Dr. Walid Phares has put forward a new strategic vision to reshape U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa, calling for the appointment of a “U.S. Special Envoy for Minorities and Communities.” Phares’ proposal aims to strengthen direct engagement with the region’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Copts, Christians, Druze, Alawites, Yazidis, and Amazighs, as well as African communities such as Darfuris, Nubians, and the Beja.
A Shift Toward “Community Diplomacy”
Dr. Phares argues that traditional policies based exclusively on dealing with central governments are no longer sufficient to address regional challenges in 2026. This proposed position aims to build bridges with civil society organizations, reformist movements, and secular voices striving to establish pluralism, bypassing rigid bureaucratic frameworks.
Mission Objectives and Challenges
According to the proposal, the Special Envoy’s mission would focus on three primary pillars:
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Strengthening Alliances: Bolstering ties between Washington and moderate regional forces.
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Countering Extremism: Creating a robust civil and political front to confront radical and jihadist movements.
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Supporting Pluralism: Ensuring the representation of marginalized communities’ rights in international forums.
However, Phares acknowledges that this mission will face formidable obstacles, particularly from “entrenched bureaucracies” and expected opposition from extremist forces that view the empowerment of these communities as a threat to their ideological projects.
The proposal specifies that the “Special Envoy” must possess deep field experience and command broad trust among these communities, while maintaining a precise understanding of U.S. national interests and the region’s power dynamics.