# US envoy says Washington is shifting away from oil-for-security in Middle East

US envoy Tom Barrack said the United States is moving away from an oil-for-security approach in the Middle East but is not leaving the region. The remarks signal a possible shift in Washington’s long-standing relationship with Gulf states and its security commitments.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/20/us-leaving-oil-for-security-approach-not-middle-east-envoy-tom-barrack?traffic_source=rss) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:36:57 +0000