Biden-Harris ‘Jekyll-Hyde’ Israel Policy — with Rich Goldberg
Oct 16, 2024
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Rich Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former White House counter-terrorism director, dives into the Biden-Harris administration's complex Israel policy. He discusses the recent deployment of the THAAD missile defense system, highlighting its importance against Iranian threats. The conversation also tackles the U.S. letter threatening military aid cuts, the balance between humanitarian efforts and military strategies in Gaza, and the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Israel military collaboration amid geopolitical tensions.
The U.S. deployment of the THAAD system to Israel signifies a deepening defense partnership despite simultaneous critiques of Israel's humanitarian policies.
Israel's military strategy is shifting towards offensive operations to impose costs on adversaries, particularly in light of evolving Iranian tactics.
The multifaceted missile defense systems utilized by Israel, including Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling, embody a rigorous approach to national security amid varied threats.
Deep dives
The Need for Offensive Strategies in National Defense
Israel's current military strategy emphasizes the necessity of adopting offensive measures rather than merely relying on defensive capabilities. The speaker notes that in response to increasing threats, it is crucial to develop offensive capabilities that can impose long-term costs on adversaries and diminish their threat levels. Specifically, the recent decimation of Hezbollah's leadership has created an opportunity for Israel to contemplate launching offensive operations as a proactive defense strategy. Due to the evolving dynamics of conflicts, simply playing it safe and waiting for attacks is no longer a viable approach for national defense.
The Evolution of Iranian Attack Tactics
The Iranian attacks on Israel reveal a learning curve regarding their tactics, as the methods used have advanced significantly over time. For instance, the April 13th attack utilized a mix of missiles and drones, whereas the subsequent October 1st assault saw a more concentrated effort focusing primarily on ballistic missiles. The effectiveness of the October attack indicates that Iran is adjusting its strategies based on observations from previous engagements, suggesting an increasing level of sophistication in their operations. This evolution highlights the importance of Israel adapting its defensive measures to counter these developments effectively.
Understanding Israel's Missile Defense Systems
Israel employs multiple missile defense systems, each designed for specific threats it faces — these include Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling. Iron Dome efficiently intercepts short-range projectiles, primarily from Gaza, while the Arrow system is aimed at more sophisticated ballistic missile threats from countries like Iran. David’s Sling addresses the middle ground of threats including longer-range rockets and cruise missiles. This multi-layered defense system is crucial for Israel's security, particularly under the basket of threats it now faces, necessitating a constant reevaluation of capabilities and production capacity.
The U.S. Defense Cooperation and Political Repercussions
The deployment of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system to Israel represents a significant enhancement in U.S.-Israel defense cooperation. This decision underscores the U.S. commitment to bolstering Israel's defense capabilities amid heightened tensions in the region. However, the announcement of THAAD's arrival stands in stark contrast to a concurrent letter from U.S. officials expressing concerns over Israel's humanitarian policies in Gaza, hinting at potential repercussions in military aid. This dual approach creates a mixed message, highlighting the complex political dynamics at play, especially in the context of domestic U.S. pressure regarding foreign aid.
The Complexity of U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Conditions
A recent letter from U.S. Secretary of State and Defense emphasizes the frustrations surrounding Israel’s humanitarian aid practices in Gaza. The letter outlines specific measures Israel must undertake to facilitate humanitarian assistance, implying that failure to comply may affect U.S. military support. This strict stance evokes concerns over the ongoing humanitarian crisis while appearing to undermine Israel's military objectives against Hamas. The intertwining of military assistance and humanitarian needs illustrates the difficulties of executing effective policy in a region marked by conflict and humanitarian disaster.
In recent days, the Biden-Harris administration has announced it would deploy the THAAD system to Israel — THAAD is an advanced missile defense system that can thwart short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as the U.S. military personnel to operate it.
To help us understand what is going on with U.S. policy, Rich Goldberg returns to the podcast. Rich is a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. From 2019-2020, he served as a Director for Countering Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction for the White House National Security Council. He previously served as a national security staffer in the US Senate and US House. Rich is an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve with military experience on the Joint Staff and in Afghanistan.
