The canceled meeting with President Biden underscored a possible rift in diplomatic ties, raising questions about the depth of gratitude among these Arab leaders for the substantial financial assistance received from the U.S
President Biden's meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli War Cabinet last Wednesday was a significant demonstration of U.S. support and solidarity with Israel during a critical moment in the ongoing conflict. The meeting took place against the backdrop of a ground offensive by Israel against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Prior to this, Hamas militants had launched an invasion of Israel, breaching communities near the Gaza Strip. This invasion resulted in the tragic loss of numerous civilian lives, including hundreds of innocent men, women, and children. Additionally, Hamas took hostages, including young children and elderly individuals, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. To further escalate the situation, Hamas fired a barrage of thousands of rockets and missiles at cities across Israel, posing a severe threat to the safety and security of Israeli civilians.
The meeting between President Biden and Israeli leadership was
primarily convened to reaffirm the steadfast support of the United States for
Israel's inherent right to self-defense and the protection of its citizens in
the midst of the ongoing attacks. The discussions likely encompassed
considerations related to providing military assistance to Israel, as well as
the formulation of strategic and diplomatic initiatives aimed at seeking a
resolution to the conflict. A paramount focus of these deliberations was placed
on safeguarding the lives of civilians on both sides of the conflict.
President Biden's itinerary originally included a visit to Jordan
as part of his diplomatic tour to engage with key Arab leaders. This visit was
set to encompass meetings with prominent figures, including Jordan's King
Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas. However, it is noteworthy that this scheduled meeting
did not take place, and it was ultimately canceled. This development has raised
questions and prompted discussions about the relationships between these Arab
leaders and the United States.
From a broader perspective, the absence of these Arab leaders in
the planned meeting with President Biden may raise questions about the strength
of their diplomatic ties and their perceived level of gratitude towards the
United States. This consideration stems partly from the significant financial
assistance that the United States has extended to countries like Egypt, Jordan,
and the Palestinian Authority.
Take, for instance, the Palestinian Authority. Since April 2021,
the United States has allocated over half a billion dollars in support for the
Palestinians. This includes substantial contributions of more than $417 million
for humanitarian aid through UNRWA, $75 million in assistance via USAID, and
$20.5 million designated for COVID-19 and Gaza recovery efforts. Furthermore,
the U.S. government has plans to provide an additional $75 million in economic
aid to the Palestinian people this year. Notably, an additional $45 million has
been allocated to support programs aimed at bolstering the security sector and
facilitating critical improvements in the rule of law.
Egypt,
too, has a long-standing history of receiving substantial financial aid from
the United States. This support amounts to a staggering $1.3 billion annually,
making it one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid. Since 1946, the
United States has contributed more than USD 85 billion in bilateral foreign
assistance to Egypt, with significant increases in military and economic aid,
particularly after 1979.
While
financial assistance is a crucial facet of international relations, the
complexities within diplomatic relationships are multifaceted. The
non-attendance of these Arab leaders in the scheduled meeting should be
considered within this intricate context, acknowledging that diplomatic
interactions are influenced by various factors beyond financial support alone.
The
Lowdown
The
absence of these Arab leaders in the scheduled meeting with President Biden
also raises concerns about the growing influence of Iran, as well as
organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, in the Middle East. These groups not
only seek to expand Iran's dominance in the region but are also perceived to be
advancing the interests of other global players like Russia and China. Through
their proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran is gradually working to diminish
American influence in the Middle East while simultaneously targeting U.S.
allies in the region, such as Israel. Following their attacks on Israel, Hamas
publicly expressed gratitude to Iran, indicating a significant level of
support. This situation raises concerns that similar developments could affect
other U.S. allies in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Jordan,
in the near future.
Not only that, the failure to arrange the
meeting with these Arab leaders can also be seen as a reflection of perceived
weaknesses within the Biden administration. Arab leaders may harbor concerns
about their own populations' sentiments and believe that the United States may
not be able to protect them from potential domestic challenges. Obviously,
these leaders might be grappling with internal vulnerabilities, making them
cautious about their international engagements. Furthermore, in the aftermath
of Hamas's recent attacks on Israel, the Ministry of Health in Gaza has been
viewed as propagating anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric, potentially
contributing to the reluctance of Arab leaders to meet with President Biden. In
this context, the responsibility for the meeting not taking place might be
attributed to the Arab leaders' apprehensions and challenges.
In
line with that development, Israel faces a pressing need to act swiftly if it
aims to make significant progress in dismantling the terrorist group Hamas.
Hezbollah, on the Iranian front, operates as an entity closely aligned with
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), effectively making it a proxy
of Iran. Hezbollah is armed with a substantial arsenal of rockets, numbering up
to 150,000, which surpasses the size, lethality, and range of the rockets used
by Hamas in Gaza. Israel's ground offensive presents a limited window of
opportunity, estimated to be around two weeks, to target the Hamas leadership,
assets within Gaza, and the various terrorist groups supporting Hamas across
the Middle East.
President
Biden's efforts in the region are geared towards preventing the escalation of
the conflict, primarily due to the potential ramifications of Iran's
involvement. Should Iran become directly engaged, there is a risk of
disruptions in global oil markets, potentially causing crude oil prices to
surge to levels as high as $150 per barrel or even more. Such a spike in oil
prices could contribute to inflationary pressures in the United States and
negatively impact the country's gross domestic product (GDP). These economic
repercussions are a concern, particularly in the context of an upcoming
Presidential election year, where stability and economic conditions play a
significant role in the political landscape.
Notes
Al Lawati, A., McSweeney, E., & Ebrahim, N. (2023,
October 16). Israel is at War With Hamas. Here’s What to Know. Retrieved
from CNN:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/16/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-war-explained-week-2-mime-intl/index.html
American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. (2023). Egypt-U.S.
Business Relations. Retrieved from
https://www.amcham.org.eg/information-resources/trade-resources/egypt-us-relations/us-foreign-assistance-to-egypt
Hashemi, A. (2023, July 13). Iran Just Joined a Pact With
Moscow and Beijing — Here’s What It Means for the US. Retrieved from The
Hill: https://thehill.com/opinion/4094000-iran-just-joined-a-pact-with-moscow-and-beijing-heres-what-it-means-for-the-us/
Institute for the Study of War. (2023, October 18). Israel
- Hamas War (Iran Updates) . Retrieved from
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/israel%E2%80%93hamas-war-iran-updates
Pamuk, H. (2023, September 14). US Allows Much of Egypt
Military Aid Despite Human Rights Concerns. Retrieved from Reuters:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-allows-much-egypt-military-aid-despite-human-rights-concerns-2023-09-14/
US Department of State. (2022, March 26). U.S. Support for
the Palestinian People . Retrieved from Fact Sheet:
https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-the-palestinian-people/
Watson, K. (2023, October 17). Biden's Jordan Stop to Meet
With Arab Leaders Canceled. Retrieved from CBS News:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-jordan-meeting-arab-leaders-cancelled/
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