When Hamas militants attacked Israel last October, thereby unleashing the current Gaza carnage, the United States' most immediate objective was to prevent a Middle East-wide war. US President Joe Biden moved a substantial American naval task force to Israel's shorelines. And to anyone who contemplated joining the war, he delivered a simple message: "Don't, don't, don't, don't."
It worked. Everyone in the Middle East understood that when an American president is warning in such emphatic terms, they had better sit up and listen. The Biden administration can be criticised for its approaches to the ongoing Gaza war. But it also deserves more credit than it currently gets for averting an even bigger bloodbath.
Yet almost exactly a year after that dramatic Biden gesture, the regional war he tried so hard to prevent may well be upon us. The fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militia based in Lebanon is at its highest in more than a decade. The hundreds of Lebanese civilians already killed in Israeli strikes on Hezbollah's positions form the grimmest such toll in more than three decades. Those shocked by what has happened in Gaza are well advised to steel themselves for much worse in the weeks to come.
HEZBOLLAH THE BIGGER THREAT
One of the reasons why Hamas succeeded in catching Israel unawares with its attack on Oct 7, 2023, was that Israeli decision-makers and the country's political elite were fixated on Hezbollah in Lebanon rather than Hamas in Gaza.
この記事は The Straits Times の September 25, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の September 25, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Howe focuses on positives after rare clean sheet in draw at Everton
LONDON Eddie Howe praised Newcastle United's defensive display and rare away clean sheet after the 0-0 English Premier League draw at Everton on Oct 5, as a missed Anthony Gordon penalty denied the visitors all three points.
Chelsea frustrated by 10-man Forest but remain fourth
Noni Madueke's equaliser rescued Chelsea in a 1-1 English Premier League draw against 10man Nottingham Forest that ended the Blues' five-match winning run on Oct 6.
Calm Verdy fight back to lift Lion City Cup
Showing their class for a second consecutive match, Japanese side Tokyo Verdy came from behind to defeat holders BG Pathum United 4-1 to clinch the Lion City Cup on Oct 6.
TEN HAG HAILS BATTLING DRAW
United manager says his 'determined' side defended well, showed character at Villa
Sidelined Carvajal to return like an 'animal'
MADRID - Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal confirmed that he will undergo surgery after suffering a serious knee injury in the 2-0 Spanish La Liga win over Villarreal on Oct 5.
Arteta hails Saka's ability to change games
LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could almost forgive his side for going a goal down to struggling Southampton as it brought out the best in winger Bukayo Saka, who scored one goal and made two more in their 3-1 English Premier League home win on Oct 5.
KEY KOVACIC UNLOCKS FULHAM
Midfielder fills in for Rodri and bags brace in win to get City's title bid back on track
Rugby player on rape charge booed on return
PARIS - France lock Hugo Auradou was described as being \"serene\" by Pau head coach Sebastien Piqueronies on Oct 5, despite being whistled off the pitch in his first match since being accused of rape in Argentina.
TEARS OF JOY FOR GAUFF IN CHINA
American clinches second title of 2024; Sinner needs day off after comeback win
Victorious Pereira not switching divisions
Brazil's Alex Pereira roared back from a poor start to knock out Khalil Rountree Jr and retain his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 at the Delta Centre on Oct 5, while in the co-main event Julianna Pena beat Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women's bantamweight crown.