250 Years On:

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, the occasion offers an opportunity to reexamine the idea of the “American Dream” through an Arab lens. Long associated with opportunity, innovation, and individual success, the United States has also played a defining role in shaping Arab perceptions of modernity, higher education, migration, democracy, and the global economic order. Yet America’s image in the region has evolved dramatically over time, from early admiration of its institutions and soft power to growing skepticism fueled by its military interventions, policies in the Middle East, and unwavering support for Israel. As global power shifts toward an increasingly multipolar order, longstanding assumptions about America’s role and influence are being reassessed across the Arab world.

Against this backdrop, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs is convening a discussion to examine how the United States is perceived by Arab societies today and whether the appeal of the American model can be separated from the realities of American foreign policy. The session will explore how perceptions of the United States have evolved across generations and what they reveal about broader geopolitical and societal transformations. Speakers will address key questions including: How has America’s image in the Arab world changed over time, and what historical moments have most influenced these shifts? Does American soft power still resonate in the region, or has its influence diminished amid changing global dynamics? How have U.S. policies in the Middle East, particularly regarding Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan, shaped public attitudes toward the United States? Do younger Arabs view America more pragmatically than previous generations? What defines America’s image today—Hollywood and Silicon Valley, or Gaza, Iraq, and Afghanistan? Does the “American Dream” continue to appeal to Arab youth, or are alternative models emerging? Finally, how are social media, digital platforms, and new geopolitical realities reshaping Arab perceptions of the United States?