Joe Biden powerless to influence Middle East events: Le Figaro
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The expansion of the war into Lebanon and the new Iranian missile attack on "Israel" have forced the US president to react to events that are increasingly out of his control.
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US President Joe Biden looks on during a meeting in the White House, Washington, D.C., March 1, 2024. (AFP)
In a piece published by Le Figaro, journalist Adrien Jaulmes argued that Joe Biden has lost the initiative in the Middle East. After failing to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, the US president now faces the growing threat of a regional war, one he has tried to avoid for months, according to Jaulmes.
The new Iranian missile attack on "Israel", announced by the White House on Tuesday morning, has made the calls for a ceasefire from his administration even more futile, leaving it only reacting to events it has little power over, as per the piece.
In Jaulmes' view, Washington, once again, is forced to respond to actions initiated by others: both its adversaries and its Israeli ally.
In April, the US was allegedly not notified by "Israel" about its attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This operation prompted the first direct Iranian attack on "Israel". US and European forces contributed to thwarting the missile and drone offensive.
The default US strategy in West Asia
The gist of Jaulmes' argument is that this defensive stance has become the default US strategy in the region. Six months later, the US again finds itself in the uncomfortable position of ensuring "Israel’s" protection, while leaving decisions and actions to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Netanyahu no longer feels the need to disclose his plans to his ally, relying instead on the US for military and diplomatic cover, he acknowledged.
The last two weeks have been yet another demonstration of US impotence in the face of rapidly unfolding events. The surprise moves by "Israel" against Iran and its allies also caught Washington off guard, as per the piece.
It added that the electronic attacks, a prelude to a series of strikes against Lebanon, have further raised the specter of a new front opening in Lebanon.
Last week, Biden suffered another setback. During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he once again called for de-escalation. On the same day, the US State Department, in conjunction with France and other allies, issued a joint call for a three-week ceasefire to reduce tensions between "Israel" and Lebanon and to allow for renewed negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli captives.
According to US media reports, Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had secured a principle agreement from "Israel" in text exchanges with Ron Dermer, one of Netanyahu’s advisors. However, the plan was rejected almost immediately after its announcement. Instead of a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech at the UN, hours before strikes on Hezbollah's headquarters and the assassination of its Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
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