Staff Reports
President Joe Biden found himself in an awkward position once again as he called for a ceasefire in Lebanon just hours after the confirmation of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s death. The irony here is delicious: while Israel was busy conducting airstrikes and effectively eliminating threats to its sovereignty, Biden apparently thought a good old-fashioned ceasefire was the solution.
The news broke that Israel had taken out Nasrallah with a pinpoint airstrike targeting Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in Beirut. While initial reports from Iran—Hezbollah’s puppet master—attempted to downplay the situation by denying his demise, Hezbollah ultimately had to bite the bullet and confirm that their once-mighty leader had indeed shuffled off this mortal coil.
"Is a ground incursion into Lebanon inevitable?"
BIDEN: "Time for a cease fire.
"Will you respond to the missile attacks on the U.S. warships in the Red Sea?"
BIDEN: "We're responding." pic.twitter.com/qx57VyF5WP— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) September 28, 2024
Biden couldn’t resist fawning over this development before urging both sides to lay down their arms. The president’s statement was as surprising as a toddler throwing a tantrum in a candy store. It’s not like checking an adversary off the list of threats is a good enough reason for any action. Instead, he took the opportunity to double down on his ceasefire mantra, not just concerning Lebanon but also Gaza. One has to wonder if he thinks the noisemakers in the background will suddenly quiet down just because he asks nicely.
In stark contrast, former White House adviser Jared Kushner, who clearly has a better grasp on the geopolitical reality, made it clear that a ceasefire would be “irresponsible.” He emphasized that this is not just Israel’s fight; it’s a fight against Iran’s insidious influence throughout the Middle East. Kushner argued that America’s stance should be to back Israel in finishing the job, a necessary step that has been long overdue in a region plagued by the tyrannies of groups like Hezbollah.
With the dust still settling from Nasrallah’s ruin, the debate over the correct U.S. approach is heating up, contrasting sharply with Biden’s calls for peace that seem more like a bedtime story than a strategic response. The suggestion that America should step back while Israel crushes what remains of the Hezbollah threat is not just a good idea; it’s imperative for long-term stability. The moment is ripe for a decisive action that both punishes Iran’s proxies and reassures our allies that the United States stands firmly with them.
