The current war engulfing Israel is not an isolated event but the culmination of years of misguided foreign policy decisions from the Obama/Biden/Harris era. During President Barack Obama’s tenure, the administration's focus was heavily skewed towards fostering a relationship with Iran, often at the expense of Israel's security and broader regional stability. The centerpiece of Obama’s Middle East strategy was the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal. This agreement was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities but, in reality, only succeeded in postponing Iran’s nuclear ambitions rather than halting them.
The Obama administration's approach to Iran was characterized by a reluctance to support the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy. Despite the widespread protests and calls for regime change within Iran, Obama’s administration prioritized engagement with the Iranian regime over addressing its oppressive nature. The JCPOA provided Iran with substantial economic relief, including access to billions of dollars in previously frozen assets. Rather than using this leverage to encourage Iran to change its behavior, the administration’s actions enabled the regime to bolster its regional aggression.
Fast forward to the Biden/Harris administration, which, upon taking office, chose to reverse some of the Trump administration’s policies that had placed crippling sanctions on Iran. The decision to ease these sanctions and restore financial access to Iran has had dire consequences. The influx of funds, which amounted to tens of billions of dollars, was not used to advance peace but rather to escalate Iran's military and terror activities. This money has been funneled into a seven-front war against Israel, with Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian proxies intensifying their attacks against Israel, with the Yemenite Houthis even shooting at US and British ships.
One glaring issue with the current administration's handling of the situation is its failure to address the source of the aggression. Since October 7th, when Iranian funded violence significantly escalated, the Biden/Harris administration has been largely silent on holding Iran accountable for its role in stoking the conflict. Instead, the administration has placed disproportionate pressure on Israel to make concessions and negotiate with the Iranian backed Hamas, committed to Israel's destruction.
This approach contrasts sharply with the stance that could have mitigated the current crisis. Had the Biden/Harris administration taken a firm stand against Iran and its proxies from the outset, it might have prevented the escalation we are witnessing today. By not applying pressure on Iran, the administration has allowed the situation to deteriorate further, with rockets being launched from Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and even from Iran itself.
The failure of the international community to enforce existing resolutions, such as UN Resolution 1701 from 2006, only exacerbates the problem. This resolution was intended to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and operating south of the Litani River in Lebanon. However, the United Nations' lack of enforcement has allowed Hezbollah to amass a vast arsenal of hundreds of thousands of precision rockets that threaten all of Israel. The ineffectiveness of international diplomacy, and the UN, in this regard highlights the broader systemic problem that Israel has in relying upon international diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts.
As a result of these accumulated failures, Israelis are facing an unprecedented threat from Iranian-backed forces. The only viable path to restoring security and stability may require decisive military action against these proxies, a painful but necessary step to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens. The cost of this conflict, both in human lives and economic terms, is a direct consequence of a US foreign policy legacy that prioritized engagement with a hostile regime over safeguarding allies and promoting regional stability.
Looking ahead, the challenge for U.S. foreign policy is to recognize the mistakes of the past and pivot towards a more balanced and effective strategy. The United States must address the growing Iranian aggression by enforcing sanctions and holding the regime accountable, not just to protect an ally, Israel, but to free Iranians from an oppressive Islamic regime, and protect Americans and the whole freedom-loving world from Iranian aggression. The US must get rid of the Obama/Biden/Harris Iranian foreign policy and instead work towards a policy that would put an end to Iranian aggression to promote genuine peace and security for Israel, the broader region, and the whole freedom-loving world.
In conclusion, the current Middle East crisis is deeply rooted in the foreign policy decisions made during the Obama/Biden/Harris years. The legacy of coddling the Iranian regime and undermining Israel's security has led to the present-day conflict, with devastating consequences for all parties involved. It is imperative for U.S. foreign policy to change course, confront the real threats, and ensure that future decisions are made with the best interests of peace and security in mind.
