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President Biden and the Fog of War
Before President Biden moralizes about Israel’s unfortunate attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy with the seven deaths, let’s hope he clearly remembers the 2012 Benghazi Embassy attack with its four deaths, including an ambassador. He was the vice president at the time. Let’s hope he clearly recalls the deaths of 14 Americans who died as part of his bungled bug-out from Afghanistan in 2021. He was the president at the time.
President Biden has been part of these blunders occurring in the fog of war and has done so from the safety of his office in Washington DC. and with hordes of advisors at his elbow. He has had two oceans protecting him and the weaponry of a superpower to assure his eventual success.
Unlike Israel, in both Benghazi and Afghanistan, America had the resources and time to manage the combat zones. Yet, these tragedies occurred. Israel is locked combat in a complex urban battlefield that has been called by West Point experts unprecedented. The Hamas enemy is both above and below ground, and civilians are treated by Hamas as a shield. Israel has labored to reposition the non-combatant Gazans so that it can carry out destruction of Hamas and secure absolute victory. Sadly, tragedies have occurred including friendly fire losses and death of three hostages who were very close to escape.
As a reference, President Roosevelt, on December 8, in his Day of Infamy speech to Congress, promised that “…righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” Should Israel, stung from the savagery of October 7 with 1,200 dead, not be given the benefit of doubt from an longtime ally to secure that absolute victory? Should the loyal ally not appreciate the urgency and demand for retribution where an equivalent loss to the United States from such an attack that would exceed a loss of 50,000 persons. It’s almost two dozen World Trade Center catastrophes. Mr. President, have you no compassion for Israel.
In the nearly half a year since the Gaza invasion, the Biden commitment to have Israel’s back has been eroding. American leaders, including the disappointing Senator Chuck Schumer, have questioned Israel’s military strategy and the government’s election process. What were passionate and steely partnership proclamations issued after the rapes, burnings, butchery, and abductions have warped into a drip-drip-drip of second guessing, threats of conditionality, and United Nations abstentions.
With the fog of war a combatant’s reality, with Israel wedged tightly into an unforgiving neighborhood, with Iran threatening annihilation, and the diplomatic Gordian Knot of a Middle East peace process, President Biden must now show Israel patience and confidence.
The degree of difficulty of Israel’s existential challenge is off the charts. By lying in wait for a mistake, like an overbearing parent, to punish and to endanger is beneath the morality of this G-d fearing country. Mr. President, now is the time to be a leader and not a henchman.
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