Biden Strategy on Israel in Gaza War; Supportive, but Hesitant [Part II]

US multiple-decade failure in wars and conflicts guides Biden administration’s agenda a year before the election.

Tehran arguably had a highly pro-American government from the eastern Mediterranean to the Ocean under the shah. However, with the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the whole equation was turned upside down. The Washington unexpectedly emerged as Iran’s greatest adversary.

As part of the greatest tradition of pragmatist foreign policy, the US supported Iraq leader’s invasion against its larger neighbor, Iran. The nearly eight-year-long conflict was essentially, if not outright, a US proxy war against fresh governance in Tehran. Through the MKO terrorist forces, the US waged a second proxy war against Afghanistan, which was ruled by the Soviet Union.

The bipolar geopolitical model offered benefits, despite the fact that the Cold War was sometimes harsh and unfair to the objectives of the individual fragile participating countries. Usually with achievement, both large guardians were careful to prevent small-scale conflicts from turning into larger ones.

The West permitted itself to declare “the end of history” when communist leadership in Soviet Union crumbled. It felt that it had finally and irrevocably won the great strategic fight, and that any further conflicts would be minor and manageable.

The United States let its international control and intelligence into possible danger places to wither away in a decade’s time. Washington, with significantly diminished analytical capacities, foolishly, haughtily, and overconfidently allowed itself to be dragged into three consecutive wars. America suffered humiliating blows as a result.

A history of Failure

Following years of protracted involvement in Iraq, the US expeditiously withdrew. It happened when it realized that keeping the army there would result in too much cash and life expenses. In addition, its standing in the Islamic and Middle Eastern worlds was in jeopardy. Ten years later, it left Afghanistan in a same manner.

Washington’s involvement in the Syrian conflict was a replication of the error it committed in Iraq. Nevertheless, it refrained from overtly invading once again. Its backing of anti-government elements ultimately contributed to the pro-Iranian armed groups’ rise to power and influence above all other factions. Syria strengthened its connections to Moscow as well. Ultimately, Iran increased its grip in the area while the US did little to stop it.

The boundaries of US influence and strength have also been demonstrated by other regional wars. Among the numerous instances are the inability to resolve the standoff in Libya or the conflict between Riyadh and the Houthi forces in Yemen.

Therefore, it seems sense that Biden would want to project an image of being involved in the area while taking a more impartial stance the year before the 2024 elections. The goal of the White House’s new strategy was to show that the US is still capable of mediating peace.

The new US approach may entail steps and moves that Bibi and his allied extremist parties in Israel may not like to follow. In any case, Washington means to move forward with its grand strategic plans guided by the local necessities, election in specific.