David Sanger, White House correspondent, and other experts discuss US diplomacy in the Middle East, focusing on President Biden's response to Israel's terror attack, diplomatic efforts, the US-Israel relationship, and the impact of historical events like the 1967 war. They explore the challenges and potential for peace in the region under the Biden administration.
US President Joe Biden visited Israel to show solidarity and support for Israel in the aftermath of the conflict with Hamas, emphasizing the need for Israel to adhere to international law and show restraint in its actions.
Efforts to achieve a two-state solution and establish peace between Israel and Palestine have faced numerous challenges, with various obstacles and competing interests making it difficult to find a viable political solution.
Deep dives
US President Joe Biden's visit to Israel after the conflict with Hamas
US President Joe Biden visited Israel to show solidarity and support for Israel in the aftermath of the conflict with Hamas. Biden emphasized the need for Israel to stick within international law and to show restraint in its actions. The visit also aimed to address the concerns of the international community regarding the conditions in Gaza and the impact on innocent civilians.
The special relationship between the United States and Israel
The United States has a long-standing special relationship with Israel, rooted in cultural, religious, and historical factors. US support for Israel dates back to the colonization of America, with evangelical Protestants expressing support for a Jewish homeland. The US became the first foreign leader to recognize Israel as a state in 1948, and the relationship has grown stronger since then, with Israel becoming a key regional ally for the US.
The challenges of achieving peace in the Middle East
Efforts to achieve a two-state solution and establish peace between Israel and Palestine have faced numerous challenges. Despite diplomatic initiatives like the Oslo Accords and the Camp David Accords, progress has been limited. Today, the two-state solution seems more distant than ever, with various obstacles and competing interests making it difficult to find a viable political solution. The changing dynamics in the region, including the assertiveness of other countries like Iran and the shifting US diplomatic influence, further complicate the path to peace in the Middle East.
After violence erupted between Hamas and Israel, President Biden flew to Tel Aviv to offer his ‘staunch’ ally US support.
In a very public embrace of Israel, he reinforced a relationship that goes back decades to Israel's foundation.
But does the US have the diplomatic influence to bring peace to the region?
This week on the Inquiry: what can US diplomacy achieve in the Middle East.
Contributors:
David Sanger, White House and national security correspondent and senior writer for The New York Times
Steven Cook, senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Emma Ashford, senior fellow at the Stimson Center
Brian Katulis, vice president of policy at the Middle East Institute
Presented by Gary O’Donoghue
Produced by Louise Clarke
Researched by Matt Toulson
Co-ordinated by Jordan King
Image: (Photo by GPO/ Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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