Joe Biden is taking risks in the Middle East

Since the birth of Israel in 1948, American presidents have worked to avoid policies that could threaten the nation’s existence.

Barack Obama, the most openly hostile to Israel, came close with his courtship of Iran.

Presidents have followed this rule because they understood that if America distanced itself too much from Israel, its Muslim neighbors might try to wipe it off the map.

This reality was true then and remains true now, despite Israel’s powerful military and its treaties with Egypt, Jordan, and the Abraham Accords.

Those achievements did not end the existential threat to Israel because groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, as well as other terrorist organizations, continue to pose a significant danger.

All these groups are financially supported and directed by Iran, which funds their attacks on what it refers to as the Little Satan.

Understanding this backdrop is crucial to appreciate the severe impact of Joe Biden’s recent actions.

Known for consistently misjudging world events, the president is pursuing policies that create an unprecedented threat to Israel, aiming to do so quickly before the upcoming election.

Biden is working to appeal to Muslim-American voters and radical young Democrats – some of whom are antisemitic and supportive of Hamas – by pressuring Israel for a cease-fire in Gaza and promoting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed to these actions, Biden is attempting to win his approval by offering Saudi Arabia normalization of relations with Israel, as well as providing civilian nuclear technology and military protection for the monarchy.

His goal is to achieve all of this by summer, positioning himself as the president who ended the war in Gaza, united the Saudis and Israelis, and created a Palestinian state.

Aside from Israel’s opposition and practical challenges, Iran remains the biggest wild card. Given Iran’s support of terrorist proxies and its goals of obtaining nuclear weapons and eliminating Israel, it poses a significant threat to the region.

Issue’s a nonstarter

The idea of establishing a Palestinian state on Israel’s borders is premature without the total destruction of Hamas and a Palestinian constituency that supports a peaceful two-state solution.

Without these conditions, a new Palestinian state would reward terrorists and lead to further attacks.

Biden’s recent decisions regarding Israel and the Middle East only exacerbate the contradictions in his approach, with the actions taken undermining his purported support for Israel.

While he has sent military support to Israel, he has publicly criticized Israel’s military actions and has also hinted at possible censure for Israeli citizens who committed violence against Palestinians.

Soft on Tehran

Although Biden ordered military strikes in response to proxy attacks in Iraq and Syria, he continues to avoid direct confrontations with Iran, leading to further destabilization in the region.

By trying to avoid a wider conflict, the president is sending the wrong message to Iran and failing to address the root causes of the ongoing aggression.

These moves come with significant risks and are unlikely to lead to lasting peace in the region.