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   As part of a broader trend of withdrawal from the Middle East, the Biden administration has significantly scaled back its use of economic diplomacy there. This action has numerous consequences: It has put US efforts to combat illicit finance around the world in jeopardy and created a void that US foes, especially China, are eager to fill. Cooperation on sanctions, anti-money laundering, and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) has been a pillar of US relations with Middle Eastern nations, particularly those in the Gulf, for about 20 years. To detect and stop the financing of terrorism in the Middle East, succeeding US administrations made significant institutional capacity improvements during that time. The United States encouraged local law enforcement partners and financial regulators to follow international standards and best practices for AML/CFT by providing them with technical assistance. To establish long-lasting, productive partnerships in the region that...