Washington devising plans to respond to attacks, fearing regional war
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Biden administration officials are drawing up plans to address the factors that they believe would take the war on Gaza to a broader, prolonged regional dimension.
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President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in "Tel Aviv". (AP)
A report published by Politico on Friday at dawn revealed that Biden administration officials are devising strategies and plans for the US to address the factors that they believe could cause the war on Gaza to spill over and escalate to a more extensive and prolonged regional war.
Four individuals familiar with the situation, including a senior administration official, shared insights into internal deliberations regarding scenarios that might drag the US into yet another Middle East war, according to Politico, adding that all were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive and ongoing national security conversations.
Plans to challenge the Yemeni Armed Forces
The US forces are formulating strategies to confront the Yemeni Armed Forces who have been targeting Israeli, Israeli-affiliated, and Israeli-bound vessels in the Red Sea, as revealed by three US officials familiar with the discussions, Politico reported.
One of the officials suggested that this could involve hitting targets in Yemen, an option previously considered by the military.
Meanwhile, intelligence officials are devising strategies to predict and counter potential attacks on the US in Iraq and Syria, as reported by one of the aforementioned officials. Simultaneously, they are actively working to identify potential targets for the Yemeni Armed Forces in their upcoming strikes.
Expansion of war could affect Biden's campaign
As per Politico, this escalation might lead to President Joe Biden's increased involvement in the Middle East, coinciding with the heated 2024 campaign season. His campaign is pushing to shift the focus toward domestic issues during this period.
The likelihood of a broader war is increasing, as per officials, in the wake of recent escalations in Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran over the past few days. These incidents have persuaded some within the administration that the war on Gaza has now officially expanded well beyond the borders of the Strip — a scenario the US has allegedly sought to avert for months.
Read next: Another Biden admin official resigns over response to Gaza War: Axios
According to Politico, the unfolding events pose significant risks not only to regional security but also to Biden's chances of reelection. Upon assuming office, he pledged to end wars, a commitment that became starkly evident with the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking the conclusion of two decades of US occupation.
On that note, as Biden concludes his first term, he is perceived as a strong advocate for Ukraine and "Israel" especially in terms of its ongoing aggression on Gaza. Even in the absence of US troops in these wars, voters might view the upcoming 2024 election as an opportunity to express their stance on a pivotal foreign policy question: the extent of America's involvement in foreign wars.
