President Biden’s crisis management efforts have helped prevent a wider war in the Middle East from erupting, as seen in his recent actions to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran. Despite successfully orchestrating a crucial de-escalation following a series of military exchanges, Biden’s broader policies have set the region on a dangerous path. Biden has failed to leverage America’s influence to rein in Israel’s aggressive actions and has armed Israel despite accusations of potential war crimes. These policies have contributed to prolonging conflicts, isolating the United States globally, and increasing the risk of regional war.
The conflict between Israel and Iran reached a critical point following Hamas’s attacks on Israel in October, prompting Biden to take a more active role in crisis management. However, his actions have not addressed the underlying issues driving the violence, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Despite voicing support for a two-state solution, Biden has largely continued Trump-era policies that undermine Palestinian statehood. By prioritizing economic integration over addressing the core concerns of Palestinians and supporting the Abraham Accords, Biden has inadvertently heightened tensions and made violence more likely in the region.
Biden’s pursuit of normalization deals with Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia, as part of the Abraham Accords has further complicated the situation. By focusing on isolating Iran instead of fostering a more inclusive security architecture in the region, Biden has missed opportunities for a comprehensive approach to Middle East peace. His efforts to broker deals between Saudi Arabia and Israel based on verbal assurances rather than concrete steps towards Palestinian statehood reflect a flawed and unsustainable strategy that does not address the root causes of conflict in the region.
Despite some tactical successes in managing recent crises, Biden’s failure to pursue a comprehensive strategy for peace and security in the Middle East remains a significant concern. His reliance on outdated and ineffective approaches, like organizing against Iran rather than fostering inclusive regional cooperation, has only served to exacerbate tensions and increase the risk of war. Moving forward, Biden must reevaluate his policies and prioritize efforts that address the underlying issues driving conflict in the region, rather than relying on short-term solutions that fail to deliver lasting peace and security for all involved parties.
In conclusion, President Biden’s crisis management efforts in the Middle East have yielded some temporary success in preventing wider conflict. However, his broader policies have set the region on a dangerous trajectory, where the risk of war remains high. By prioritizing isolation and confrontation over inclusive regional cooperation and addressing root causes of conflict, Biden has missed opportunities to pursue lasting peace and security in the Middle East. It is crucial for Biden to reevaluate his approach and prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to address the complex challenges facing the region and ensure a more stable and peaceful future for all involved.
