William Ruger, President of the American Institute for Economic Research and Afghanistan war veteran, discusses the geopolitical implications of the recent attack on Israel by Hamas and its connection to the Abraham Accords, improving relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Arabia-Iran rivalry.
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Quick takeaways
Changes in the Middle East, such as the potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, could reshape the geopolitical landscape and pose a challenge to Iran's influence in the region.
While the release of funds to Iran is debated, it is important to focus on whether the policy aligns with American national interests and condemn the targeting of innocent civilians by Hamas.
Deep dives
Impact of Geopolitics on Recent Hamas Attack
The recent Hamas attack on civilians in Israel is influenced by various geopolitical factors and regional dynamics. Changes in the Middle East, such as the Abraham Accords and the potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, play a role in the broader geo-strategic competition in the region. An improvement in Israeli-Saudi relations could pose a challenge to Iran, as it may not wish to see a stronger alliance formed, especially with potential US security guarantees for Saudi Arabia. Iran utilizes proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas to project its influence in the region, with Hezbollah being its main proxy. However, these attacks by Hamas can be seen as strategically foolish, as research suggests that intentionally targeting innocent noncombatants is not an effective way to meet political goals.
Criticism of US Policy and Potential Impact on Hamas and Iran
There is a debate regarding the US policy of releasing funds to Iran and its potential impact on encouraging aggression. Critics argue that the released money could be used for purposes beyond humanitarian needs and may provide Iran with greater resources. However, the focus should not solely be on the funds, but rather on whether the policy aligns with American national interests. Regarding the conflict with Hamas, it remains uncertain if it will lead to a broader escalation and impact the ongoing normalization efforts between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries. While it is desirable to see relations normalize, the recent attacks could temporarily challenge the process and alter domestic politics in those countries. Predicting the outcome in the Middle East is challenging, but it is important to condemn the targeting of innocent civilians and hold Hamas accountable in the aftermath of such attacks.
William Ruger, President of the American Institute for Economic Research and Afghanistan war veteran, breaks down how the immoral attack on Israel and the resulting war might reshape the geopolitical landscape. Get the facts first on Morning Wire.
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