Islamabad, Sep 27: US diplomacy in Mideast falters as clock ticks down for Biden
U.S. efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire have been at a standstill after nearly a year of conflict, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue targeting Red Sea shipping routes.
Despite significant U.S.-led diplomacy, the Israel-Hezbollah conflict risks escalating into a full-scale regional war.
As President Joe Biden’s term nears its end, analysts and diplomats suggest that Middle East crises could undermine his foreign policy legacy. Biden has struggled to balance supporting Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas and Hezbollah, while trying to limit civilian casualties and prevent a wider conflict.
His strategy faced hurdles, such as Israel’s rejection of a U.S.-backed 21-day truce proposal across the Lebanon border, as Israeli strikes have continued. According to Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. intelligence officer, the challenges illustrate the limits of U.S. power in the Middle East.
Despite the U.S.’s influence as Israel’s main arms supplier and diplomatic supporter, Biden has been hesitant to leverage that position to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After nearly a year of U.S. attempts to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas, no resolution is imminent, with some citing shifting demands from Netanyahu.
Biden’s approach has drawn both praise and criticism. While his administration has strengthened key alliances, especially in Europe and Asia, his handling of the Gaza war has led to concerns over U.S. credibility. Diplomatic efforts have failed to stop Iranian proxy forces, such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels, from attacking Red Sea shipping, despite increased U.S. military presence.
Despite these criticisms, U.S. officials maintain that their diplomatic and military efforts have helped prevent a broader regional conflict. However, setbacks like the collapse of potential Israeli-Saudi normalization talks have hindered what was once seen as a significant foreign policy achievement.
Middle Eastern diplomats, such as Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, have expressed frustration, calling efforts to halt the violence over the past year “a year of failure.” Meanwhile, Biden’s administration continues searching for solutions, but experts suggest that the next U.S. president will likely inherit these unresolved challenges.
