Biden in 'very tough spot' trying to stop Middle East escalation
Joe Biden a familiar dilemma, but on steroids — how to balance support for a difficult ally while preventing the nightmare scenario of a wider war?
Tensions with Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's war on Gaza were papered over as the US president offered «ironclad» support, including shooting down Iranian drones.
But the White House has made it clear it does not want further escalation following Iran's unprecedented assault and will not support an Israeli counterattack that could trigger a full-blown regional conflict.
The question then for Biden, who is facing a tough reelection battle against Donald Trump in November, is what if Netanyahu goes ahead anyway as he has done in Gaza?
«It puts him in a very tough spot» Colin Clarke, Director of Research at the Soufan Group, told AFP.
«I think he's suspicious of Netanyahu's motives here… that Netanyahu is attempting to broaden the war throughout the region to deflect from how poorly the war is going for him in Gaza.»
Biden has been trying to avoid a regional war that could suck the United States back into the Middle East ever since Hamas's October 7 attack and Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip.
The 81-year-old has, however, struggled to use the leverage provided by the United States being Israel's main military supplier, especially given a long history of tense relations with Netanyahu.
Biden has been increasingly critical of the death toll in the Palestinian territory and even went as far as suggesting the US could limit military aid, but so far to little
