#5 (09/30/2024-10/07/2024) Fear of an all-out war looms large after Iranian strikes against Israel

The US diplomacy last week focused on easing the tension between Israel and Iran while defending Israel's right of self-defence. These are all the headlines about the US foreign policy and the Middle East:

06

October

Harris Reiterates Support for Gaza Ceasefire as Conflict Escalates

Harris sidestepped a question in the interview on whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a ”real close ally.”?”I think with all due respect the better question is do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people and the answer to that question is yes,” Harris said (Read more at?First Post ).

06

October

US on Israeli Bombing in Lebanon: Military Pressure Can Enable Diplomacy but Has Risk

"Military pressure can at times enable diplomacy.?Of course, military pressure can also lead to miscalculation. It can lead to unintended consequences," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement (Read more at?USNews ).

06

October

Jill Stein sees 'no lesser evil' between Harris, Trump - interview

Polls show Stein garnering just 1% in the Nov. 5 election, while Harris and her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, are almost tied with 49% and 48%.?But Stein, who has been campaigning on a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate U.S. arms embargo on Israel, won 40% of the Muslim vote in Michigan in an August poll.?Democrats could win back those voters if they demanded and worked to enact an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon (Read more at?USNews ).

05

October

US to give $157 million in humanitarian aid in response to Lebanon crisis

The United States will provide nearly $157 million in new humanitarian assistance to support populations affected by conflict in Lebanon and the region, the State Department said in a statement on Friday.?"This funding will address new and existing needs of internally displaced persons and refugee populations inside Lebanon and the communities that host them. The assistance will also support those fleeing to neighboring Syria," the State Department said (Read more at?AOL ).

04

October

Biden says no public negotiation on Israel's stance on Iranian oil sites

Asked if he was worried an Israeli strike on Iran's oil facilities would raise oil prices, he said, "If a hurricane hits, prices are going to go up. I don't know; who knows."?Biden was also asked why he had not spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days. He replied: "Because there's no action going on right now." (Read more at?TRTWorld ).

04

October

Biden does not believe there will be ‘all-out-war’ in Middle East

But he said?more needed to be done to avoid a Middle East war.?Asked by reporters in Washington on Thursday how confident he was that such a war could be averted, Biden said, “How confident are you it’s not going to rain? Look, I don’t believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it (Read more at?Arabnews ).

04

October

Emails show early US concerns over Gaza offensive

The emails, which haven’t been reported before, reveal alarm early on in the State Department and Pentagon that a rising death toll in Gaza could violate international law and jeopardize US ties in the Arab world.?The messages also show internal pressure in the Biden administration to shift its messaging from showing solidarity with Israel to including sympathy for Palestinians and the need to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza (Read more at?Irish Examiner ).

04

October

Trump Son-In-Law Discussed U.S.-Saudi Diplomacy With Saudi Crown Prince

43-old-old Kushner has a close relationship with Saudi Arabia and has?invested $2 billion in his firm Affinity Partners, and Mr. Kushner created it after he left the White House. They included discussions on the process of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a key diplomatic objective of the Biden and Trump administrations (Read more at?CNA ).

04

October

US strikes 15 Houthi targets in Yemen: Pentagon

?The targets included “Houthi offensive military capabilities.”?U.S. officials earlier?told?The Associated Press?that U.S. military aircraft and warships bombed Houthi strongholds at roughly five locations.?Houthi media said the strikes hit Yemen’s capital Sanaa, the airport in Hodeida, the south of Dhamar city and the southeast of al-Bayda province — the latter of which has several Houthi military outposts (Read more at?The Hill ).?

04

October

Biden would weigh alternatives to striking Iranian oil if he were in Israel's shoes

"The Israelis have not concluded what they are going to do in terms of a strike. That's under discussion," Biden said.?Biden was also asked if he thought that by not engaging in diplomacy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to influence the?Nov. 5 U.S. election?in which Republican former President?Donald Trump?faces Democratic Vice President?Kamala Harris.?"Whether he is trying to influence the election, I don't know but I am not counting on that," Biden said in response. "No administration has done more to help Israel than I have." (Read more at?Reuters )

04

October

U.S. wants to use Hezbollah's weakness to elect new Lebanese president

Nasrallah blocked?any effort to elect a person who was not its ally Suleiman Frangieh.?One candidate is the commander of the Lebanese armed forces Gen. Joseph Aoun, who is supported by the U.S. and France. The Lebanese armed forces will be a key player in any post-war settlement in Lebanon.?With Nasrallah dead and Hezbollah at its weakest in years, the Biden administration thinks there is now an opportunity to dramatically reduce its influence on the Lebanese political system and elect a new president who is not an ally of the Shia militia, two U.S. officials said (Read more at?Axios ).

04

October

Biden backs Israel’s operations in Lebanon despite risk of expanding conflict

The Biden administration believes it is appropriate for Israel to continue with its?ground and air attacks on Hezbollah?for now, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Thursday, even as he acknowledged the risk of the operation in Lebanon expanding beyond Israel’s current aims.?Washington has repeatedly?warned Israel against escalating the conflict, but a three-week ceasefire proposal put forward by the U.S. and other countries last week was quickly dismissed by Israel in favor of intensified operations (Read more at?Arab America News ).

04

October

US arranges flights to bring Americans out of Lebanon

U.S.-arranged flights have brought about 350 Americans and their immediate relatives out of Lebanon this week.??U.S.-arranged flights have brought about 350 Americans and their immediate relatives out of Lebanon this week (Read more at?Associated Press ).

03

October

Influential US Republican Urges Biden to Speed Israel Arms Sales

The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee urged President Joe Biden?to speed up weapons shipments to Israel, including 2000-pound (907 kg) bombs that have been held up for months over human rights concerns.?Michael?McCaul, who reviews all major foreign U.S. weapons sales in his position as committee chairman, said he was also aware of more than 10 other planned weapons sales to Israel that have been awaiting final approval for more than four months and urged that they proceed quickly (Read more at?USNews ).

03

October

Michigan Governor Urges US to Do More for Americans Stuck in Lebanon

Many of them were from Michigan.?"We are already hearing reports of confirmed deaths and fear there will be more. We cannot stand by while our constituents and their families are suffering," Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.?In a post on X earlier on Thursday, Tlaib said the U.S. government's "lack of urgency to get Americans out of Lebanon is shameful." (Read more at?USNews )

03

October

Biden Says ‘Discussing’ Possible Israeli Strikes on Iran Oil Facilities

When asked by a reporter if he supported Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, Biden said, “we’re discussing that. I think that would be a little… anyway.”?Biden said he did not expect any immediate action from Israel — even if Israeli Prime Minister?Benjamin Netanyahu?has recently paid little heed to calls for restraint as?he targets the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon (Read more at?Defense Post ).

02

October

Kamala Harris Calls Iran a Destabilizing Force in Middle East

US Vice President Kamala Harris condemned Iran's "reckless and brazen" missile attack against Israel "unequivocally."?"As I have said, I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias. My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering," Harris said (Read more at?Anadolu Agency ).

02

October

US energy companies' shares gain as Middle East crisis sparks supply fears

Iran's missile attack on Israel, and Washington's full backing of its ally on a response against Tehran, sent markets into a risk-off mode. Safe-haven currencies like Japan's yen and Swiss franc saw strong bids, along with oil and defense stocks.?U.S. energy majors Exxon Mobil and Chevron rose 1.6% and 1.5%, respectively.?Major oil and gas producers ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum and Devon Energy gained between 1.5% and 1.9% while oilfield services firm SLB and Halliburton both rose about 2% each. Analysts expect the market to remain "jittery" as investors await Israel's retaliation and the resultant impact on supply (Read more at?Zawya ).

02

October

CIA Expands Online Recruitment of Informants to China, Iran, North Korea

The U.S. CIA on Wednesday launched a new drive to recruit informants in China, Iran and North Korea, adding to what it says has been a successful effort to enlist Russians (Read more at?USNews ).

02

October

Trump pushes back on U.S. soldiers' brain injuries: "They had a headache

The Republican presidential nominee made the comments after being asked Tuesday if he believed he "should have been tougher on Iran" following the attack.?"What does injured mean? You mean because they had a headache? Because the bombs never hit the fort?" Trump?said (Read more at?Axios ).

02

October

Biden says he would not back Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites

Other US officials warned Iran would face “severe consequences”, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller telling reporters he was not “ruling anything out”. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett explicitly called for such an attack in a post on X, saying Israel must “act now to destroy Iran’s nuclear program”.?“We have the justification. We have the tools”, Bennett said (Read more at?Aljazeera ).?

02

October

U.S. Destroyers Successfully Down Iranian Missiles

Two U.S. guided-missile destroyers destroyed a handful of Iranian missiles using a combination of weapons, including the Standard Missile 3, a U.S. official confirmed to USNI News on Wednesday.?USS?Bulkeley?(DDG-84) and USS?Cole?(DDG-67) fired about a dozen interceptors at Iranian missiles fired at Israel, the Pentagon said Tuesday (Read more at?US Navy Institute ).

02

October

US condemns Iran attack on Israel as major escalation

The United States warned Iran that it would face severe consequences for its ballistic missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, saying the barrage marked a significant escalation but appeared to have been thwarted.?Biden was reported to have urged Netanyahu to “take the win” and refrain from retaliation after Iran’s April attack to avoid a wider regional war, given that Israel was largely unscathed (Read more at?Swissinfo ).

02

October

Middle East conflict lifts oil prices despite large US crude build

Oil prices rise on fears over Middle East supply disruptions.?Israel vows retaliation against Iran over Tuesday's missile attack.?US crude, gasoline inventories rose while distillate stocks fell last week.?Israel's retaliation could include targeting Iranian oil production facilities among other strategic sites.?An attack on Iran's oil infrastructure could provoke Tehran to respond with a strike on Saudi oil facilities, similar to one conducted in 2019 on crude processing facilities there, said Tamas Varga of oil brokerage PVM?(Read more at?Reuters ).

01

October

Pentagon chief tells Israel that US is 'well-postured' against Iran

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to his Israeli counterpart late on Tuesday, hours after Iran's missile attack on Israel following Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, and said Washington was "well-postured" to defend its interests in the Middle East.?"The minister and I expressed mutual appreciation for the coordinated defense of Israel against nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran and committed to remain in close contact," Austin said separately in a post on X (Read more at?AOL ).

01

October

Israel and U.S. repel 180-missile attack from Iran

Iran launched around 180 ballistic missiles toward?Israel?in a two-wave attack on Tuesday that U.S. and Israeli officials say was largely repelled.?This was Iran's largest-scale attack ever against Israel (Read more at?Axios ).

01

October

US targets West Bank settler group with sanctions

"Through these violent activities, Hilltop Youth is actively destabilizing the West Bank and harming the peace and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike.?The group has carried out killings, arson and other attacks to intimidate Palestinians and has devastated communities in the process." Treasury said in a statement (Read more at?Daily Star ).

01

October

US Sees Indications of Imminent Iranian Missile Attack on Israel

A U.S. official said that the Iranian strike could be as large or potentially bigger than one on April 14 in which Tehran launched more than 300 missiles and drones.?"A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran," the second US official said (Read more at?USNews ).

01

October

US Army tests Robot Dogs Armed in Middle East

The?Army?has sent at least one "robot dog" armed with an artificial intelligence-enabled gun turret to the Middle East for testing as a fresh counter-drone capability for U.S. service members.?A U.S. Army Central spokesman said?that the armed robot dog was one of several “non-counter-sUAS” systems tested alongside 15 counter-drone platforms at Red Sands during the September test and that the gun engaged several static ground targets (Read more at?Military.com ).

01

October

Biden directed US military to help Israel shoot down Iranian missiles

The president said the attack appears to have been "defeated and ineffective."?"This is testament to Israeli military capability and the U.S. military," Biden said in his first on-camera remarks on the issue. "It's also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack we expected." "Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel," Biden added (Read more at?ABC ).

01

October

US, Israel agree on 'dismantling attack infrastructure' on Lebanon border

US Defense Secretary?Lloyd Austin?on Monday offered support to Israeli Defense Minister?Yoav Gallant?for “dismantling attack infrastructure” along the border with Lebanon, after Israel launched “targeted ground raids” on Hezbollah. Austin also issued a warning to Iran of “serious consequences” should it directly attack Israel in response to their?attacks on the Tehran-backed militant group (Read more at?Defense Post ).

30

September

US sets new rule that could spur AI chips to the Middle East

The new rule allows data centers from around the world to apply for a VEU status through which they can receive AI chips or other designated items under general authorization, rather than requiring their US suppliers to obtain multiple individual export licenses to ship to them.?The move comes despite growing concerns among US policymakers that the Middle East could become a conduit for China to obtain American products (Read more at?Forbes Middle East ).

30

September

US is sending a few thousand more troops to the Middle East to boost security

The additional forces would raise the total number of troops in the region to as many as 43,000. The?increased presence?will involve multiple fighter jets and attack aircraft squadrons.?The additional personnel includes squadrons of F-15E, F-16, and F-22 fighter jets and A-10 attack aircraft, and the personnel needed to support them (Read more at?Associated Press ).

30

September

Rockets Target Base Hosting US Troops Near Baghdad Airport

"The Victory Base at Baghdad Airport was targeted with three rockets, two of which were shot down by the base's special defences, while the third fell near the headquarters of the Counter Terrorism Service Command," a security source said.?A second security source said there were no casualties and that the incident had not affected air traffic (Read more at?Barrons ).

30

September

Biden urged Lebanon truce, US official says Israeli incursion could be imminent

Asked about reports that Israeli ground troops were preparing to move into southern Lebanon, Biden told reporters that he was “comfortable with them (Israel) stopping.”?Several top aides reinforced Biden’s call for a ceasefire by urging a diplomatic resolution to the violence to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis and Lebanese to return to their homes along the border.?Washington “will continue to work with our partners in the region and around the world to advance a diplomatic resolution,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a State Department conference (Read more at?Cyprus Mail ).

30

September

Israel has told US ground operations against Hezbollah are limited

“This is what they have informed us that they are currently conducting, which are limited operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure near the border,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.?Asked to confirm they were limited ground operations, he said: “That is our understanding.” (Read more at?AOL )

***

This is the only newsletter about the US foreign policy in the Middle East. To receive the newsletter in your inbox every Monday, register here: https://isadeli.substack.com