One of the areas of foreign policy in which the Trump administration has had significant success is in the Middle East – and especially in terms of Iran. The question now is whether a Biden Administration will build on those successes or go back to the Obama administration’s Arab-centric policies that enabled Russia to expand its influence through its principle client-states of Iran and Syria and enabled the rise of ISIS.
The fundamental flaw in the old diplomacy was to put the creation of a Palestinian state as a pre-condition for any far-reaching peace agreements – the so-called “two-state solution.” Since the Palestinian movement is headed by the Hamas terrorist group – and they have maintained their refusal to recognize the right of Israel to exist – the stalemate could not be broken. That had been the situation for decades – even before the Obama presidency. However, President Obama worsened the situation by shifting American policy and pressure against Israel by seeking a virtual unilateral agreement to surrender the West Bank.
Obama also diplomatically retreated from the Middle East with his oxymoronic “lead from behind” policy. This created the vacuum for Russia to move in and ISIS to emerge.
The Obama policies – crafted in large part by then Secretary of State John Kerry – led to the Nuclear Deal that provided Iran with billions of dollars to sponsor terrorism throughout the region. The weakening of the American commitment led directly to the creation of the incredibly brutal ISIS Califate that took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria. The Nuclear Deal – even if adhered to – would not have prevented a nuclear Iran in the future.
In order to maintain some semblance of stability – even though status quo was not favorable to American interests and security – the United States had to maintain the boots-on-the-ground that Obama promised to withdraw. America was in the unfortunate position of fighting two wars at the same time – Afghanistan being the second. But these were long wars of attrition – never executed to win.
By the end of the Obama administration, terrorism was in full bloom – with daily televised reports of the most unimaginable and horrific acts of gruesome terror. Russian/Iranian-backed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was on the verge of crushing the rebel forces that Obama had promised to back – until he didn’t. The use of chemical weapons was Obama’s red line – until it wasn’t.
As a direct result of Obama’s policies, Europe has been reeling from the largest and most tragic migration of humanity since World War II — as Syrians fled their country that was about to be taken back by the brutal regime in Damascus.
In short, America and the civilized world were losing in the Middle East.
After several good-faith efforts to bring about a resolution between Israel and the recalcitrant Palestinian movement, the Trump administration quietly abandoned the “two-state solution” and began negotiations to resolve Middle East hostilities without Palestinian leaders at the table.
First and foremost, Trump placed emphasis on the military defeat of ISIS – killing off its leaders and bringing down the califate. While rag-tag elements of ISIS still exist, the califate is gone and ISIS is a dying movement.
When al-Asaad used chemical weapons against his civilian population, Trump ordered a surgical attack on Syria. When Russian generals order American military aircraft out of an arbitrary no-fly zone, Obama acquiesced. Trump reversed the policy and resumed flights over the strategic territory at will.
Trump’s policy broke down the wall of opposition that existed between Israel and the Arab world. In his first foreign trip, Trump went to Saudi Arabia to meet with more than 50 heads-of-state of nations with large or majority Muslim populations. He then traveled to Israel. Those meetings created the first meaningful bridge of diplomacy between the rival sides.
Following the Iraq War, that nation became unstable under the increasing influence of Iran – and the Iranian semi-official terrorist army under the command of General Qasem Soleimani — who was targeting American interests with terrorist attacks throughout the country. In a bold move, American military killed Soleimani and immediately reduced Iran’s influence over Baghdad.
The crowning achievement of Trump’s Middle East policy was the peace agreements signed between Israel and three Arab states – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. Others were expected to follow. This time Trump was correct when he said that nobody thought it was even possible.
If Biden were smart, he would take the counsel of the person most responsible for managing the details and negotiations that led to the success of the Trump Middle East policy – first son-in-law Jared Kushner. Unfortunately, the same irrational and obsessive Trump-hatred from the left and the media that refused to give Trump credit for these monumental achievements in the Middle East will prevent a Biden administration from capitalizing on the tremendous progress that was made in the past four years.
The only positive news is that Biden indicated that he would put Kerry in charge of getting back into the American-unfriendly Paris Climate Accords – which is bad enough – but NOT back into the Middle East issues – where he had struck the god-awful Iran Nuclear Deal and even gave aide and diplomatic advice to Iran during the Trump presidency.
We can only hope that the Trump initiatives have sufficient momentum that they cannot be too easily undone by a return to the old-world order diplomacy of weakness and appeasement.
So, there ‘tis.
Yes and this is why.
https://youtu.be/Kk_Yu7dTPQ4
BIDEN does nlot know what he is doing..He needs Barrick Obama to tl him whay to do
The Obiden administration will make our country weak. Just look at who is on his team. All this comes into play because the AP told us Obiden won the election. Obiden has become the first occupant who has stolen the White House.
You are so right Arthur it was greatest farce of election the US has ever seen and biden is an evil sob with communist links and of course bill the MURDERER gates has him in his back pocket its so sad all our governments have become SO corrupt
He’s a thief and a terrible Vice President! He, his son and brother along with Obama and Hillary should all be in jail for enriching themselves with tax payers money!There’s a special order lace in hell for all of them!
ABSOLUTLEY, HE GOING BACK IN BED WITH IRAN WITH A POLICY OF APPEASEMENT WILL SPLINTER THE MIDDLE EAST AND ALIENATE ISREAL AND IT S NEW PEACE TREATIES WHICH WILL LEAD TO WWIII. SOMEONE SAID ” ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES” ISALL TRUE. THIS COUNTRY MASS HATRED OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, A MAN WHO DELIVERED ON HIS PROMISE WHEN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT _{YOU CANNOT NAME ANOTHER WHO DID} HE DID MORE FOR BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE THEN ANY OTHER PRESIDENT INCLUDING THAT TRAITOR CALLED OBAMA AND NOW THE COUNTRY Hs voted in he man with a lifelong proven record of being a racist an a record of doing absolutely nothing for this country but enrich himself and cronies with his massive corruption. This could also lead the US into another civil war, with the far left of the democrat party commie socialist wing
He will not be our President in 2020. Trump will still win.
Given that I have little if any faith in Biden’s ability to be Pres. or anything else for that matter (the most I would offer him is a comfortable bed in his basement!), I would have to say that war could be a possibility, as Biden wouldn’t know which leaders of nearby countries were with us or against us! Granted that he’ll have people around him at all times (unless he stays in his basement and lets Kamala run the show) he won’t be making many decisions! It might be wishful thinking but I’m still hoping that one way or another, Trump comes back as President!
Kerry has supported the Communists ever since The Vietnam War. I know, I fought in that war and remember, vividly, his and Jane Fonda’s trips to North Vietnam, subverting our own troops. He is the worst of the worst and a stalwart enemy of The United States. And he will bring us back to the Paris disaster of “Climate Accord” where we, the taxpayers will foot the bill while being crapped on by the rest of the world.
This man is a cancer and should be “cut out” of American politics! In fact, so should Biden, Harris, Oman, Schumer, Waters, AOC and Cuomo and others. What you have with those people are the backbone of The Communist Party. They will destroy our country, which is exactly how the Commies operate!
Well said. Could not agree more.
yes a Biden in the White house will put American at war with America. he will bow down to every other country in the world
YES, WE WILL END UP IN A CIVIL WAR
More than likely
Not only will it put us at war, but we will become a communist country
Yes a Biden Presidency will put us in a civil war. The American Patriots will not condone cheating in an election and Veterans that have the integrity of their Military oath will defend this country and Constitution. Against domestic enemies which are the Democrats and RINOS
Biden is ‘a DOOFUS’.
HAS BEEN. ALWAYS WAS.
What has ‘He’ done for ‘the LAST 50 YEARS’???
WAITING…..
WAITING…..
WAITING…..
Will a Biden “Presidency” Put Us At War?
Yes.
But it will be a civil war..
IF Sleepy Joe is inaugurated, we can be assured of more war and strife in the Middle East. His puppet masters hate Israel and will do all they can to undermine the peace agreements.
There will be a one world government one monetary system no borders we just don’t know when God‘s plan will take place. I personally am enjoying President Trumps prolife, pro American, policies , but this is not heaven, Satan rules the world even though he’s on a leash. Trump is out numbered 10 to 1
Let’s plan a assasination on Biden/ Harris. If they plan to sell this USA to other communist country . Me as a veteran and proud of this country , and sacrifices that all Vets have done to keep it a free world , and some political heads want to give us away to other countries, then by all means . Let’s get rid of those bad apples for this country. Otherwise the bad apples will infest the rest of the good apples in …
He will and Mr. Trump has every constitutional right to check out those ballots. As I’ve said, what makes you so sure Biden/Harris will be the next presidential authority in the WH? I heard his speech and his voice sounded strangled. A friend of mine said he didn’t think Biden was long for this Earth. Health problems might prevent him from being in power. And what about Ms. Harris then?
You can definitely see your skills in the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to
say how they believe. Always go after your heart.