Pentagon sends more troops to Middle East as Israel braces for Iranian threat
Washington PostApr 03
Biden: US Support for Israel Will Prevent Iranian Escalation
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The Facts
In an op-ed published Wednesday, US Pres. Joe Biden called on Congress to pass legislation providing military aid to Israel and Ukraine, adding that his admin. will not write "blank checks." Biden argued that by readily supporting Israel, the US could prevent Iran from escalating the conflict.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday that negotiations regarding the release of Israeli hostages and a cease-fire in Gaza have reached a "delicate phase," referring to an unspecified "stumbling block."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US is doing everything it can to ensure that Israel deter military threats while also preventing regional escalation. Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks, whether from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US will always defend Israel's right to security. Nonetheless, it's not in the US or Israel's best interest to see the conflict escalate. Thankfully, Israel, with the assistance of the US and its regional allies, managed to effectively counter Iran's attack, and any further military actions are completely unnecessary.
Pro-Israel narrative
The US-Israeli relationship is one of the best strategic investments the US has made in the last 50 years. Besides the fact that arms sales to Israel directly support American industry, Israel's security is the US' security, as both countries are fighting the same enemies. Of course, the US and Israel do not agree on everything, having their ups and downs, but, nonetheless, US support for Israel effectively guarantees the US a strong position in the Middle East.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Reflexive US support for Israel over the decades has finally culminated in a horrifying display of human brutality — mass famine against the Palestinian people. Besides moral consideration around supporting Israel's slaughter in Gaza, Israel has consistently proven time and time again that it is a bad ally that is highly unreliable. While American and Israeli interests continue to diverge, successive American leaders have failed to recalibrate. Now, the US is risking a regional war by supporting a rogue Israeli state.
Pro-Iran narrative
Iran continues to demonstrate its capabilities and restraint, as the attack over the weekend will hopefully serve as a wake-up call to Israel to end this series of escalations. Iran and its allies have been clear from day one that they do not want to see this war spiral into a regional conflict. Rather, Iran only seeks to end Israel's crimes in Gaza, to which it has been forced to respond. Israel made a mistake in believing that Iran would not respond to its provocations, and Iran's leadership will continue to calculate its moves appropriately.