The US and the Gaza War: Antony Blinken’s Middle East Balancing Act
The U.S. insists on a "Palestinian-led administration" in the Gaza Strip after the end of Hamas. At the same time, new authorizations for ammunition deliveries to Israel remain unconditional.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East for the fourth time since the Gaza war began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The danger of the conflict spreading has not been this high for a long time.
Worst Consequences
The secretary of state needs to support Israel strongly enough so that Israel's enemies can expect the worst consequences should they try to open further fronts that go beyond the already existing attacks. On the other hand, he needs to convince America’s Arab partners that the U.S. is serious when it urges Israel to spare the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and stop right-wing fantasies — which are getting increasingly louder — of a greater Israel that is expanded to include Palestinian territories.
A Beating from All Sides
America has recently become fairly strident on this issue; there was talk about "irresponsible" statements in Israel. The U.S. insists on a "Palestinian-led administration" in the Gaza Strip after the end of Hamas. At the same time, new authorizations for ammunition deliveries to Israel remain unconditional in accordance with declared U.S. policy. Blinken and President Joe Biden are taking a beating on all sides with this balancing act. This would be difficult enough without having to fear that Benjamin Netanyahu, just to remain in office, would allow himself to be driven into further exploits by the right and escalate things himself.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East for the fourth time since the Gaza war began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The danger of the conflict spreading has not been this high for a long time.
Worst Consequences
The secretary of state needs to support Israel strongly enough so that Israel's enemies can expect the worst consequences should they try to open further fronts that go beyond the already existing attacks. On the other hand, he needs to convince America’s Arab partners that the U.S. is serious when it urges Israel to spare the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and stop right-wing fantasies — which are getting increasingly louder — of a greater Israel that is expanded to include Palestinian territories.
A Beating from All Sides
America has recently become fairly strident on this issue; there was talk about "irresponsible" statements in Israel. The U.S. insists on a "Palestinian-led administration" in the Gaza Strip after the end of Hamas. At the same time, new authorizations for ammunition deliveries to Israel remain unconditional in accordance with declared U.S. policy. Blinken and President Joe Biden are taking a beating on all sides with this balancing act. This would be difficult enough without having to fear that Benjamin Netanyahu, just to remain in office, would allow himself to be driven into further exploits by the right and escalate things himself.
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