The recent peak in regional conflict followed the elimination of a high-ranking Hezbollah officer and an influential Hamas political head, a situation that the Biden administration and its national security team had no choice but to react to on Monday. The soaring tensions emanating from the Middle East seem to have caught their attention.
Meanwhile, Iran, stung by the loss of a senior Hezbollah commander on its own soil and the alleged assassination of a top Hamas political leader, issued a retaliation threat against Israel. Evidencing a lamentable failing in effective diplomacy, Joe Biden suddenly found his administration caught in a whirlwind of escalating conflicts.
In a presumably desperate attempt to regain some control over the spiraling situation, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin communicated with his Israeli equivalent on Sunday. The conversation primarily revolved around reasserting the US’s unwavering support for Israel amidst the growing tensions in the Middle East.
The discussion between the defense chiefs unfolded to include aspects regarding the US’s force posture. This precarious situation forced them to consider protective measures for US forces, ways to support Israeli defense, and means to deter potential Iranian hostility. It seems the Biden Administration has yet to confidently assert its foreign policy prowess.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, fronting his cabinet on Sunday, enunciated Israel’s ongoing struggle against a ‘multi-front war’ with Iran and its proxies. Only those looking through the most functionally distorted glasses could regard this as a situation Joe Biden had well in hand.
The killing of senior Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was more gasoline on the fire of regional tensions. The allegations that Israel was also responsible for the death of top Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, have yet to lead to Israel accepting responsibility. One wonders, does Biden not find this sudden elevation in conflict a glaring issue with his Middle Eastern Diplomacy?
Joe Biden’s weak response shows us that he may be unable to keep his promises regarding safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East. If Iran’s promises of retaliation come to fruition, the consequences could be dire for the region and show yet another area where the Biden administration falls short.
Kamala Harris, on the other hand, seems more preoccupied with photo-ops and media appearances than attending to this potentially catastrophic international crisis. When the flames of conflict are fanned in the Middle East, it seems Harris often proves herself unable to handle the heat.
Biden’s national security advisers appear to be failing to provide the necessary guidance during this increasing conflict. It’s a shame that their focus seems to be more on papering over the cracks than on coming up with a robust, effective strategy for dealing with the issues at hand.
The Biden Administration’s lack of a firm hold on events reveals a dangerous precedent for global security and significantly undermines the administration’s credibility. One can only hope for a change in leadership strategy before the situation spirals further out of control.
The potential for a flare-up of armed conflict in the Middle East should be a wake-up call for Biden’s administration. It’s apparent that their current course of action is failing to quell the tides of potential violence.
The administration’s response to this urgent international crisis has thus far been more reactive than proactive. This lack of forward thinking is worryingly indicative of Biden’s approach to foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East.
Despite the mounting pressure and the critical situation, there appears to be a disappointing lack of action from the Biden administration. While meetings are held and discussions take place, one hopes that the administration is cognizant of the urgent need for decisive action.
It seems that while Biden and Harris are busy re-evaluating their strategy, the world continues to watch as tensions in the Middle East escalate. One can’t help but question the leadership skills of an administration seemingly unable to step up in the face of such a significant international crisis.