President Joe Biden’s Realist Middle East Approach

Both how Vice President Joe Biden has approached the Middle East and the unwavering support that he has shown for Israel have served as a beacon of direction for American diplomacy and discourse across the region. His approach and the role of the federal government must be subjected to a thorough reevaluation in light of the recent bombings in Yemen as well as other recent events.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the actions of the United Nations toward South Africa, and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are all examples of problems that illustrate the need for transparency and accountability when dealing with matters that are as intricate as these.

Recently, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have carried out airstrikes on sites belonging to the Houthi group, which they consider to be an act of unwarranted enmity. In addition to tackling cargo attacks, these strikes have also addressed other things. Because this shift impacts Biden’s prior pragmatic stance, there will be a significant response from him.

The United States Congress, under the leadership of Vice President Joe Biden, is required to take an active role in decision-making during airstrikes in Yemen and among regional allies. The occurrence of these events highlights the need to have a determined plan to develop the United States’ vision for the Middle East, taking into consideration the geopolitical hurdles and tensions that have persisted for a long time.

Therefore, they are a source of vital conversation. It is only through the participation of Congress in the process of examining the effects of military action that it will be possible to achieve balance.

The Houthis’ resistance goes beyond mere rhetoric and demonstrates tenacity, even though they are the target of a widespread bombing campaign that Saudi Arabia has been leading for a considerable amount of time. Their position has been increased as a result of the most recent occurrence, which has prompted anger and support from groups that are supported by Iran as well as other individuals who want to resist Israel’s military action in Gaza.

This adds another layer of complexity to the situation and brings to light the complex dynamics that are at play in the region. Various dimensions contribute to the complexity of Middle Eastern affairs. These facets include the economic and marine component, the geopolitical repercussions, and the strike-absorbing capabilities of the Houthis.

To this purpose, Biden has to alter his foreign policy, especially because the campaign for the presidency in 2024 is becoming more important. This pragmatic diplomatic policy that Biden has chosen since the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th might be undercut if Donald Trump were to win the presidency, which could lead to a more ideological and even hostile attitude toward the Middle East.

Biden has embraced this strategy since the attack on Israel. The indefinite character of the problem has been further complicated by the recent pro-Palestine rallies that have taken place on college campuses. These demonstrations have impacted the perspectives of both Democrats and Republicans on the subject, as well as the political situation in the United States.

In addition to this, Biden’s pragmatic approach to diplomacy is consistent with partisan parties. It is not surprising that over 61 percent of Jewish American voters are in support of a two-state solution, considering that the United States of America is home to the second-largest Jewish community in the world, with an estimated 6.3 million Jewish constituents. On the other hand, in contrast to the Israeli government, sixty-five percent of Americans believe that Hamas is primarily responsible for the continued bloodshed among Palestinians.

Since the development of Israeli settlements and annexation of Palestinian territory pose a danger to the sustainability of a two-state solution, the administration of Vice President Joe Biden needs to raise the amount of pressure it exerts on Israel to end the hostilities in Gaza. Even though the White House has reiterated its intention to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by diplomatic means, it has also emphasized that the prospect of moving the capital to Jerusalem is still being considered. The pragmatic approach that Biden takes, which places a premium on diplomatic solutions rather than ideological ones, is shown here.

In particular, the administration’s relations with significant regional entities such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt need more transparency and action to resolve concerns over human rights. Congress must play a significant role in this endeavor. Because Congressman Bob Menendez has just been charged with corruption, it is becoming more difficult to maintain diplomatic ties with Egypt.

The prominent senator is facing allegations of bribery, which have the potential to destabilize the pro-coup attitude on human rights in Egypt’s military rule. Additionally, a House transparency report that was done under the leadership of Representative Jaime Raskin (Democrat of Maryland) revealed financial deals that took place between the Trump organization and Saudi Arabia.

The former president benefitted from these transactions to the tune of more than $615,000, which he used to pay for his luxury accommodations at the Trump International Hotel and Trump World Tower while he was in office. The activities and interactions of regional partners with the United States are revealed by these revelations, independent of the political leanings of those partners, and they further complicate the United States’ foreign relations in the Middle East.

The current prosecution of South Africa at The Hague has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion on human rights. South Africa maintains that, as a signatory to the Genocide Convention, it must strive toward the eradication of genocide and guarantee that those guilty cannot act with impunity. This is the position that South Africa takes. In the end, it boils down to a norm of international law that is obligatory, the prohibition against genocide, and the obligation of nations to defend it.

Even though Israel will almost probably provide counterarguments, many people in The Hague and the United States believe that it is their moral obligation to dispute South Africa’s stance in this judicial environment. This is the case even if Israel will most certainly supply counterarguments.

Biden’s approach to the Middle East is more pragmatic, revealing a route ahead for discourse, diplomacy, and unwavering support for Israel. This is in contrast to the ideological government that Trump has been running. As a result of recent occurrences and the complexity of the law, which have necessitated this readjustment, reasonable remedies are necessary, and Congress plays a vital role in the process.

In the face of these challenges, Vice President Biden has to emphasize the need to strengthen our determination to contribute in the Middle East fairly and equitably, while simultaneously bringing attention to the risks that would be associated with adopting a different policy as president.

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