Does anyone know if Jefferson started the Middle East involvement?

Answer 1

Depends on what you mean by "involvement" and "Middle East" ! I'll assume that you include at least some of the Muslim states of North Africa in your definition. In that case, if by involvement you mean FIGHTING, then Jefferson was the first.

But, in fact, it had been the case for centuries that anyone who traded in or near the Mediterranean (including all of Europe) had to deal with the Barbary pirates, mostly to pay them "tribute" to avoid interference with trade - capture of goods or ship passengers taken as slaves or hostages, that is, 'piracy'!. As members of British colonies, the Americans had not had to worry about this, because the British had their own arrangements, and the colonists sailed under British flags.
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TRIBUTE ?

Beginning with independence (that is, BEFORE Jefferson's Presidency) the US had to deal with them too. There was much debate back and forth, and efforts to negotiate, and for a time, payments. Note that the US navy was basically non-existent, too weak to protect American shipping at that time. (And before the Constitution it was almost impossible for the states to conduct the sort of unified foreign policy needed to effectively carry on this sort of military effort, mainly because they could not get support for the FUNDING it would take.)

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WAR under Jefferson

Now Jefferson, though not supportive of a 'standing army', had long been frustrated by the payment of tribute. He opposed it on principle even during the time that paying tribute was cheaper than building a proper navy.

By the time he became President the country was growing strong enough to take more forceful action. And when the pasha of Tripoli responded to his election with new, higher demands, Jefferson acted as he had always said we should --he refused. This led to the "Tripolitan" or "First Barbary War". The US eventually won though the treaty was not the best, and the success did not last. Only after the Second Barbary War of 1815, when the US was able to send out a much stronger navy (developed during the War of 1812) did they finally end the Barbary threat (and European states quickly began to follow suit).

A lot of fascinating stories mixed in here, including Stephen Decatur's burning of the Philadelphia, a daring mission by William Eaton (accompanied by Marines, which led to the Marine Hymn line "to the shores of Tripoli"), and a largely forgotten poem/song of tribute by Francis Scott Key which later formed the seed for his "Star-Spangled Banner".

A number of excellent books about these events have come out since 2000 (esp. since September 11). A few to consider:
Richard Zacks. The Pirate Coast.
Joshua Landon. Victory in Tripoli (2005)
Frank Lambert. The Barbary Wars (2005)

Answer 2

Jefferson sent the first Marines to "the shores of Tripoli" in ancient Lybia to liberate Americans abducted by Muslims. I don't know that this qualifies as involvement, but it's still an interesting historical fact with a familiar ring to it.

Answer 3

Jefferson who? Thomas Jefferson?? No.

Answer 4

He did go to war in North Africa against the Barbary pirates and he felt strongly that a state whose religion justfies attacking others ought to count the cost.

Answer 5

maybe but there is no written documents about that

Answer 6

George Jefferson or Thomas Jefferson? idk, prolly neither...
~ lol