Staff Reports
In a political landscape reminiscent of a game of international Whack-a-Mole, President Joe Biden has taken to the podium to herald his so-called diplomatic triumph—a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Biden seems to believe that this achievement has provided him with the diplomatic roadmap to miraculously negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release with Hamas, an organization that has proven to be something of a brick wall in negotiations. After all, who wouldn’t be inspired by one ceasefire while remaining acutely aware that there are still 101 hostages in Gaza, including four Americans who continue to languish in uncertainty?
Joe Biden & Kamala Harris have been the worst two gut punches 👊 👊 America has ever received from so-called American leaders & lived 🧐 to tell about it! https://t.co/bvjBuNXhYa
— Daniel F. Baranowski (@DFBHarvard) November 27, 2024
One has to wonder about the logic here. With Hamas holding hostages, the administration’s optimism feels more like wishful thinking than a realistic plan. Yet, the dynamic has shifted slightly, as Hezbollah’s newfound peace with Israel has seemingly allowed Hamas to poke its head out of its cave and consider resuming talks. Whether they’re actually ready to play nice remains to be seen. The history of negotiations with Hamas suggests that their willingness to engage is as dependable as a flat tire.
Biden’s diplomatic ambitions extend beyond Gaza, with the administration supposedly striving for a peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The irony is rich; the Biden administration has complicated that very endeavor by demanding that any deal should be accompanied by the creation of a Palestinian state. One can only imagine how that went down in Riyadh—probably like a cat at a dog show. Under Trump, the Abraham Accords were a sign of progress, but since Biden took office, not a single nation has joined the ranks of peace-seeking states. His attempts at diplomacy have been hampered by a reputation for weakness, especially following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and his administration’s initial distancing from key allies.
If anyone thinks the Biden administration is going to magically turn into the diplomatic powerhouse that Trump was, they might want to rethink that optimism. Trump utilized a blend of strong military positioning, clear communication, and unwavering support for Israel to forge lasting agreements. In stark contrast, Biden has managed to achieve a series of self-imposed hurdles that serve only to showcase a lack of strength and resolve on the international stage.
The situation in the Middle East under Biden’s leadership continues to paint a rather dismal picture. While he touts diplomatic outreach, the reality is that the groundwork laid by his predecessor is essentially gathering dust, thanks to a strategy rooted in appeasement instead of strength. If Biden truly hopes for peace in the region, he might want to consider adopting a playbook that has proven effective rather than dreaming up lofty ideals that fall flat when confronted with the harsh realities of geopolitical strife.
