AMERICA'S RESPONSE TO OUTBREAKS OF violence in the Middle East conflict has followed the same pattern for decades: U.S. presidents from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton to Barack Obama pledged support for Israel, then urged restraint and eventually called for an end to the fighting as the death toll rose.
But President Joe Biden faces a unique combination of factors that may constrain his ability to rein in the war between Israel and Hamas-including the unprecedented scale of Hamas's attack, the growing threat of a regional war, a hostage crisis involving American citizens and growing calls for de-escalation from progressive Democrats who have become increasingly vocal in their support for Palestinians in recent years-and whose support is vital to Biden's 2024 re-election campaign.
As Israel's newly formed emergency wartime government prepares for a likely ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, it's unclear when Biden may step in to try to de-escalate the conflict, or how much leverage he'll have to rein in Israel once the toll on civilians starts to rise.
"Biden faces more of a challenge than U.S. presidents have in years" in containing a war in the Middle East that involves Israel from spinning out of control, John McLaughlin, who served as acting director of the CIA under George W. Bush, tells Newsweek.
"The American task at this point is to keep it from going beyond where it is," McLaughlin says. "Once you get past this phase, you can start thinking about de-escalation."
Denne historien er fra October 27, 2023-utgaven av Newsweek US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 27, 2023-utgaven av Newsweek US.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Terry Crews
FOR TERRY CREWS, THERE ARE NO RULES.
Carrie Coon
CARRIE COON IS HAVING A MOMENT, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT RECognize her.
Still Doin' It Well
Ahead of the release of his new album, The FORCE, LL Cool J told Newsweek of his strong desire to keep contributing to the hip-hop culture he helped create
WORLD'S MOST TRUSTWORTHY COMPANIES 2024
TRUST IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY RELATIONSHIP-FROM PERsonal relationships to ties between businesses and consumers.
HOPE and HEALING on HORSEBACK
IT'S BEEN A DECADE SINCE ISIS COMMITTED GENOCIDE AGAINST IRAQ'S YAZIDI POPULATION. MORE THAN 100,000 YAZIDIS REMAIN DISPLACED BUT WORKERS AND ANIMALS AT AN EQUINE THERAPY CENTER ARE PROVIDING RELIEF
Is College Worth It?
AMERICANS are LOSING FAITH in HIGHER EDUCATION amid RISING TUITION FEES, UNCERTAIN PAYOFF and CULTURE WARS on CAMPUS
An integrated model for water management
Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies has deep expertise and synergistic capabilities across the full water and wastewater value chain
Investments that are transforming life in Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company is creating distinctive destinations and experiences that encompass multiple sectors
A Kinder and Gentler Nick Cave
After a period of personal upheaval, the famed Bad Seeds singer returns with the vibrant and optimistic 'Wild God'
Fleeing War and Scams
Newsweek spoke to three Ukrainians who have been targeted by \"sponsors\" trying to profit from applicants seeking refuge in the U.S. via a humanitarian scheme