The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have been a focus of United States foreign policy dating back to the earliest days of the republic. U.S. relationships in the region are built on pragmatism, shared security concerns, and economic interests. Today, the region is being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and by plunging oil prices. Bloated and corrupt governments and high youth unemployment continue to be problems. Since the U.S. has strong security and economic interests in the MENA region, the U.S. should expand its economic cooperation with the countries of the region.