President-elect Trump faces a tall order in the Middle East. To fix this, Trump should center U.S. Middle East policy on two chief objectives: disentanglement and deprioritization. The most immediate issue in the Middle East is America's deep involvement in Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and in the continued escalation between Israel and Iran. From the very first days of the war in Gaza -- and now, Lebanon -- it was clear that Israel was in the driver's seat, with the United States in tow. Washington's regional strategy has been reactive in nature, often responding to developments with tepid warnings and empty threats while continuing to provide the arms, military aid, and diplomatic cover that allow Israel's wars to continue. In both Gaza and Lebanon, Israel's wars are devoid of discrete and achievable political objectives.
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Table of Contents
- This article appeared on Responsible Statecraft on November 7 2024. 1
- To fix this Trump should center U.S. Middle East policy on two chief 1
- The most immediate issue in the Middle East is Americaʼs deep 1
- From the very first days of the war in Gaza and now Lebanon it was 1
- Washingtonʼs regional strategy has been reactive in nature often 1
- In both Gaza and Lebanon Israelʼs wars are devoid of discrete and 1
- In Gaza Israelʼs stated objectives are the total elimination of Hamas and 1
- Israel has accomplished all it can militarily in Gaza. 1
- While Hamas is certainly battered and degraded the group is far from 2
- Does the President-elect have what it takes to end Bidens blank-check support for Netanyahus agenda and immediately begin disentangling the US 2
- Israel can degrade Hamasʼ capabilities and kill its leaders but without a 2
- In Lebanon Israelʼs military campaign is growing with Amos Hochstein 2
- Israelʼs stated objectives in Lebanon are destroying Hezbollahʼs military 2
- Israeli citizens displaced from Israelʼs north. However as in Gaza Israel 2
- Hezbollah has ruled out negotiations so long as fighting with Israel 2
- Hanging over both of these wars are the back-and-forth military exchanges 2
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR 2
- Foreign Policy Analyst Cato Institute 2
