Republicans criticize Biden’s “doctrine of appeasement” towards Iran
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The Biden administration is facing intense pressure from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress to confront Iran and its terrorist proxies. This comes after a drone strike by Tehran’s proxies in Jordan resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members and the injury of 25 others.
Republican foreign policy leaders wasted no time in blaming President Joe Biden’s approach of appeasement towards Iran for this recent attack. It follows a series of orchestrated attacks by Tehran on American and Western forces in the region, which were triggered by Israel’s conflict with Hamas. Even key Democrats are expressing concerns about the administration’s weak response to Iran’s increasingly deadly strikes. Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland stated that the drone attack is an escalation that cannot go unanswered.
Despite mounting pressure, the White House is signaling that it has no intention of directly confronting Tehran. National security adviser John Kirby stated in an interview with NBC that “We are not looking for war with Iran.” President Biden also mentioned that the United States will hold those responsible accountable, but no specific details have been provided.
Iran’s terror proxies, including Houthi rebels in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and militant factions in Iraq and Syria, have been targeting U.S. forces and Western assets in the region for months. The American military has responded with limited retaliatory attacks.
While it is evident that Tehran is behind these attacks in response to U.S. support for Israel, the Biden administration has repeatedly shown disinterest in directly targeting Iran’s hardline regime. However, with the loss of three soldiers, Republicans are blaming Biden for emboldening Tehran through appeasement policies. These policies include rolling back sanctions and providing the regime with billions in cash windfalls, which are then used to fund the ongoing attacks against Americans.
Representative Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized President Biden’s fear of escalation, stating that it has transformed into a doctrine of appeasement. He emphasized that the weakness displayed by the administration only strengthens our enemies. Senator James Risch, ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also blamed the Biden administration’s weak policies for creating this dangerous situation.
Senator Ted Cruz, another member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, held the Biden administration responsible for championing diplomacy with Tehran, resulting in the dismantling of sanctions and allowing Iran’s proxies to freely attack American positions in the Middle East.
In addition to enabling Iran to make billions in oil profits, the Biden administration removed Yemen’s Houthi rebels from the U.S. terror list, removing a key pressure point on the group. The Houthis have been launching ballistic missile strikes on U.S. targets and disrupting international shipping lanes since the outbreak of war in October.
Cruz emphasized that Biden’s actions have funded these attacks, including the October seventh attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and Americans. He argued that Biden is directly responsible for providing funding to the Iranian regime.
According to Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Iran’s proxy groups have carried out more than 150 attacks on American troops since October without facing a significant response from the U.S. He called for a major reset of the Middle East policy to protect national security interests and restore deterrence.
What are the arguments made by Republicans for adopting a more assertive and proactive stance against Iran’s proxy attacks?
Doctrine of appeasement. They argue that the administration’s reluctance to take decisive action against Iran is only further encouraging their aggressive behavior and putting American lives at risk.
Republicans are calling for a stronger response to Iran’s proxy attacks, urging the Biden administration to adopt a more assertive and proactive stance. They argue that it is crucial to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions in the region and to protect American forces and interests.
Critics of the Biden administration’s approach argue that diplomacy and engagement alone will not be enough to address Iran’s malign activities. They emphasize the need for a comprehensive strategy that includes both diplomatic and military measures to deter further aggression.
They point to the previous administration’s policy of maximum pressure on Iran, which they claim achieved significant results by curbing Iran’s regional influence and forcing it to the negotiating table. They argue that abandoning this approach and pursuing a softer stance will only embolden Iran and jeopardize the security of the United States and its allies.
Furthermore, Republicans raise concerns about the Biden administration’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. They argue that reengaging with Iran without addressing its nuclear ambitions effectively undermines the progress made by the previous administration in containing Iran’s nuclear program.
The ongoing attacks by Iran’s proxies on American forces and assets in the region highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive and robust strategy towards Iran. Republicans are calling on President Biden to reconsider his stance of appeasement and take decisive action to protect American lives and interests. The ball is now in the Biden administration’s court to prove that it can effectively address the growing threat posed by Iran and its proxies.
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