Biden under conflicting pressure: Tough stance on Iran, yet gentle approach to Gaza conflict.
President Biden Faces Pressure and Difficult Choices in the Middle East
As Israel prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza, the Biden White House is focused on preventing the situation from escalating into a wider conflict that could involve Hezbollah, Iran, and the United States.
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Iran’s involvement in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel remains unclear, but it is believed that they provided support. Additionally, Iran supports Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. The Biden administration’s challenge is to keep all these groups in check without provoking them.
“Biden is trying to prevent the escalation of this thing into a major regional war,” said Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. “I hope I’m wrong about this, but I think he has a limited ability to deter anybody.”
The U.S. has deployed significant military forces to the region, including two aircraft carriers, as a warning to Iran and Hezbollah. So far, there has been no escalation, but both the U.S. and Israel remain on high alert for future strikes.
The White House has made it clear that it holds Iran responsible for the events unfolding in the region.
“Iran is certainly complicit here,” National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said Tuesday. “Without them, there is no Hamas. Without them, there is no Hezbollah. Without them, there are no militia groups firing rockets at our troops in Iraq and Syria. And as I said yesterday out here, we recognize Iran is monitoring all of these events, and in some cases, they’re encouraging some of these attacks. No question about it.”
The U.S. recently engaged in a prisoner swap with Iran, which included unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds. However, following the Oct. 7 attacks, the administration has decided not to release those funds.
Reports suggest that Biden administration officials are urging Israel to delay a ground invasion of Gaza to prevent further escalation. While U.S. officials are in “active conversation” with the Israelis, this has not been confirmed.
“The Israeli plan appears to still be a large-scale ground invasion to wipe out the leadership of the Hamas organization in Gaza. That has serious escalatory potential on its own,” Logan said. “Biden is trying to limit escalatory potential there and deter other actors from jumping into the fray.”
Biden and his press team have consistently expressed their support for Israel, despite controversy from the Democratic Party’s far-left wing and figures like United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who highlight the Palestinian people’s long-standing struggle.
The president remains unwavering in his backing of Israel, sharing personal stories of his trips to the country and his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Biden has stated that there will be no ceasefire until Hamas releases all its hostages.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is issuing direct warnings to Iran against further escalation in the Middle East.
“To all the members of this council: If you, like the United States, want to prevent this conflict from spreading, tell Iran, tell its proxies in public, in private, through every means, ‘Do not open another front against Israel in this conflict. Do not attack Israel’s partners,'” Blinken said in a Tuesday address to the U.N.
However, Middle East scholar Ray Takeyh argues that with the U.S. deploying aircraft carriers and warning against further action from Iran and its proxies, the U.S. is already becoming involved in a way that may require taking action if escalation occurs.
“If you want them to stop, you have to say so, but then if they go forward, you have to do something,” Takeyh said. “Otherwise, you’re drawing a red line that you’re not enforcing, which is the worst thing you could possibly do.”
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How is President Biden balancing his support for Israel with the need to deter aggression from Iran?
Till be at the planning and preparation stage,” said Pentagon press secretary John Kirby. “We’ve made it clear to them the importance of doing everything they can to prevent civilian casualties and to de-escalate the situation.”
President Biden is facing immense pressure and difficult choices in the Middle East. On one hand, he must navigate the delicate balance of supporting Israel, an important ally, while also preventing a full-blown war that could have dire consequences for the region. On the other hand, he must deal with Iran, a country that continues to pose security threats and support militant groups.
The situation in the Middle East is complex and multifaceted. It involves a web of alliances, rivalries, and historical conflicts that have spanned decades. President Biden inherited this intricate landscape and must now find a way to maintain stability, peace, and security.
One of the key challenges Biden faces is preventing the conflict between Israel and Hamas from escalating further. The airstrikes from both sides have already resulted in significant civilian casualties, and a ground invasion could exacerbate the situation. The President and his administration are urging Israel to exercise restraint and avoid a full-scale invasion.
At the same time, President Biden must carefully navigate the relationship with Iran. The country’s support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah threatens regional stability and poses a direct threat to Israel. The President has made it clear that Iran bears responsibility for the rocket attacks and must be held accountable.
Yet, President Biden also recognizes the importance of diplomacy and engagement with Iran. The recent engagement in a prisoner swap and the unfreezing of some Iranian funds are examples of the administration’s attempt to find common ground and deescalate tensions. However, the Oct. 7 attacks have halted further actions in this regard, indicating that the administration is willing to take a firm stance against Iran when necessary.
President Biden finds himself in a precarious position, walking a tightrope between supporting Israel and deterring aggression from Iran. His administration’s deployment of military forces to the region serves as a warning to Iran and Hezbollah, showcasing the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining stability and protecting its allies.
While the situation in the Middle East remains tense and uncertain, President Biden’s approach seems to be centered on preventing further escalation and pursuing diplomatic solutions. The delicate balance he must strike requires careful consideration of the region’s complexities and a nuanced understanding of its various actors.
The pressure on President Biden is immense, but his experience in foreign policy and his commitment to multilateralism give hope for a measured and strategic approach. Ultimately, his choices in the Middle East will have far-reaching consequences and shape the direction of U.S. foreign policy for years to come.
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