It seems like every time the situation in the Middle East makes headlines, America finds itself grappling with some harsh realities. On one hand, there’s the remarkable tag team of former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—two leaders painted as men of decision and conviction. On the other, the usual suspects: Iran, Hamas, and a medley of other players who revel in chaos while the West pushes paper.
It’s no surprise that the current state of American foreign policy might be nudging things toward a more precarious route. The idea that Iran and Hamas could bide their time, meddling and scheming under the international radar, is something that makes one pause. After all, if these groups have taught us anything, it’s that they play the long game, all while smiling sweetly at negotiation tables. Who could have guessed something could be more persistent, and possibly more dangerous, than a teenager with a smartphone?
The conversation revolves around whether this approach from the U.S. can unite or further divide American and Israeli interests. Frankly, it’s as if everyone forgot the basics of teamwork—remember, there’s no ‘I’ in team, but there is in ‘international incident.’ The perpetual daylight between U.S. and Israeli policies seems to give adversaries a wide field to maneuver in, and goodness knows they seem to love their extracurricular activities.
As the nail-biting negotiations drudge on, there’s talk that not all is bad news. Reports of Netanyahu’s government potentially walking in step with the U.S. bring some comfort. After all, if there’s anyone with the insider knowledge on how to keep Israel safe, it’s Netanyahu and his team. It’s almost like they’re the seasoned parents in a room full of anxious babysitters.
Ultimately, as experts like Michael Doran hint, the goal should be unification against common threats like Iran. However, the delicate dance of diplomacy is proving trickier than a square dance with octopuses in tuxedos. To get to a place where Israel and the U.S. pressurize Iran into simmering down, proactive leadership is necessary. Time will tell whether this partnership will yield more than just prolonged discussions and cold coffee. Here’s hoping that diplomacy involves a bit more action and a lot less handwringing.
