Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the declaration of war made to terrorism, the Bush administration has opted for an interventionist foreign policy targeted in the Middle East area. What the author calls “ The American moment Refers to this frantic activism, which is accompanied by a desire to deeply transform the geopolitical balance of the region. Under the influence in particular of the powerful neo-conservative pressure groups, American decision-makers have developed a strategy of disseminating democracy, supported by a rhetoric emphasizing the universality of Western values. The work thus returns to the reasons and the main stages of the action of the United States in Iraq, from the preparation phase both ideological and military of the conflict to the tragic failure of reconstruction. It also shows to what extent the new American ambitions have resulted in a tension of relations with certain traditionally allied countries (Saudi Arabia) or even a logic of belligerent escalation with states considered as a term threat (Syria, Iran). Finally, in their logic of global hold on the Middle East, the United States has also been led to renew its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.