In response to the Hamas attack, the Western media reserved most of its interventions for the Israeli response. Under these circumstances, it is normal that this region has long been a powder keg and other countries could influence the development of this conflict.
On the American side, Joe Biden left no doubt: in the face of Hamas’ barbarism, Benjamin Netanyahu will find the United States on his side.
Since the weekend, observers have had the impression that President Zelensky’s Ukraine is the big loser and will fall to second place due to US aid. I think it would be a mistake to neglect the Ukraine conflict.
Two regions: one fight
If we put ourselves in perspective, the return of the Palestinian issue to the fore, despite its geographical distance, is not independent of the Ukraine conflict. When Israel and Hamas are directly involved, their partners or allies face a larger chessboard.
As I highlighted it in my Monday textAs soon as Hamas’ atrocities became known, many analysts turned their attention to Iran.
Although we have no evidence of the Iranian regime’s direct involvement, we know that it has traditionally supported the Hamas armed faction and that it has indirectly served the Iranian cause.
Iran not only limits its support and the supply of its weapons to Hamas, the country also sends drones to the Russians. What do Hamas, Iran and Russia have in common? Their struggles against democratic regimes.
As the situation worsens, the temptation of isolationism gains ground, but as long as the United States remains on the sidelines and limits itself to supporting its allies, interventionism remains the best option.
Bipartisan compromise, but electoral risk
Several of Joe Biden’s Republican opponents, the same ones who all too often follow Russian propaganda, rushed to the microphone to criticize him for his softness on Iran while demanding that supplies to Ukraine stop.
Fortunately for the president, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell instead believes that everything must be done to fund the defense of Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The Washington Post’s Josh Rogin also argued that the needs of its three American allies are different and the United States is capable of meeting them all.
I have emphasized on many occasions that the Ukraine conflict represents an investment for the United States, and I would say the same applies to Taiwan and Israel. On the other hand, the electoral risk is great.
Complex international issues generally have little electoral value, especially when billions are at stake. Investments to ensure support from allies will only pay off in the medium and long term. Americans will go to the polls in November 2024.
