President Joe Biden has been criticized for his approach to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with experts warning that his policies could inadvertently lead the United States into a broader conflict in the Middle East. The criticism follows a recent intense drone and missile attack by Iran on Israel, which has significantly heightened tensions in the region.
Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations and Middle Eastern politics at the London School of Economics, voiced significant concerns about the effectiveness of Biden’s strategy in the region. Speaking to NBC News, Gerges highlighted that Biden’s primary goal to prevent the Gaza conflict from escalating into neighboring countries has not been realized. He also noted Biden’s inability to influence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisions regarding Gaza and Iran, suggesting a lack of effective American influence in critical regional decisions.
In response to the Iranian assault, which involved more than 300 drones and missiles—of which 99% were intercepted thanks to Israeli and allied air defenses—Netanyahu’s administration is deliberating on the possibility of a retaliatory strike. This has prompted international calls for restraint. The European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borrell, emphasized the urgency of de-escalation, metaphorically stating that “we’re on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it.”
Despite the U.S.’s stance of support for Israel’s right to defend itself, Biden has explicitly informed Netanyahu that the U.S. will not participate in any counteroffensive against Iran. This position has been reinforced by global leaders including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and French President Emmanuel Macron, who both have advocated for diplomatic rather than military responses to the conflict. Cameron, speaking on Sky News, referred to the Iranian attack as a “double defeat” for Iran, noting the failure of the attack and its exposure of Iran as a destabilizing regional force.
The situation remains fraught with the potential for further escalation, as Netanyahu’s war cabinet contemplates Israel’s next moves. The global community watches closely, hoping that restraint will prevail and prevent a deepening of the conflict.