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Jacobin Radio
Long Reads: Biden's Vietnam w/ Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Jan 4, 2024
Akbar Shahid Ahmed, a senior diplomatic correspondent for the Huffington Post, discusses Biden's policy towards Israel and its parallels to Lyndon Johnson's support for Vietnam in 1968. The podcast explores the US-Israel relationship, key figures' roles in US actions in the Middle East, dissent among US officials, doubts about casualty figures, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
45:51
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Quick takeaways
- The Biden administration's support for Israel during the Gaza war damaged its international credibility and raised concerns about its ability to rally global support on critical issues.
- The unwavering support for Israel by the Biden administration led to dissent within the State Department and comparisons to the level of dissent observed during the Iraq invasion, potentially impacting US credibility globally.
Deep dives
The Biden Administration's Stance on Israel
The Biden administration assumed office with promises to prioritize the two-state solution and to steer away from Trump's pro-Netanyahu policies. However, they did not make any specific promises to reverse Trump's controversial policy changes, such as Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or the recognition of illegal settlements. Biden's team intended to focus on strategic competition with China and Europe, hoping to keep the Middle East conflict off the president's table. There was a desire to support Israel unconditionally and to maintain a close relationship, driven by Biden's long-standing personal sympathy and historical perception of Israel as a small country surrounded by enemies.
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