A Biden Doctrine for the Middle East Is Forming. And It's Big.

[ancianita]

Last edited Fri Feb 2, 2024, 10:19 PM - Edit history (2)

by Thomas Friedman https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/31/opinion/biden-iran-israel.html

"... A Biden Doctrine — as I’m terming the convergence of strategic thinking and planning that my reporting has picked up — would have three tracks.
On one track would be a strong and resolute stand on Iran, including a robust military retaliation against Iran’s proxies and agents in the region in response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers at a base in Jordan by a drone apparently launched by a pro-Iranian militia in Iraq.

On the second track would be an unprecedented U.S. diplomatic initiative to promote a Palestinian state — NOW. It would involve some form of U.S. recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that would come into being only once Palestinians had developed a set of defined, credible institutions and security capabilities to ensure that this state was viable and that it could never threaten Israel. Biden administration officials have been consulting experts inside and outside the U.S. government about different forms this recognition of Palestinian statehood might take.

On the third track would be a vastly expanded U.S. security alliance with Saudi Arabia, which would also involve Saudi normalization of relations with Israel — if the Israeli government is prepared to embrace a diplomatic process leading to a demilitarized Palestinian state led by a transformed Palestinian Authority.

It could deter Iran both militarily and politically — by taking away the Palestinian card from Tehran. It could promote Palestinian statehood on terms consistent with Israeli security and, simultaneously, create the conditions for normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia on terms Palestinians can embrace.
And it is a strategy that could work with Arab Americans on Lake Michigan and with Arab allies on the Persian Gulf. It is a strategy that could force a reckoning inside Iranian politics, inside Palestinian politics and inside Israeli politics...."

non paywall https://archive.ph/A3qZe

[Demsrule86]

1. Great post...thank you. I couldn't rec it fast enough!

[ancianita]

2. ... happy to!

Never been a fan of Friedman's but since Oct 7 he's done some important geopolitical analyses!

This one is amazing and encouraging. He's right to say that if Biden succeeds it will change the world's geopolitics, imo.

[Initech]

3. We need to start by getting Saudi backed MAGA plants out of Congress.

[ancianita]

7. Definitely we'll do our part with our GOTV for Nov 5.

[Initech]

18. Yes! Vote all of these scumbags out!

Greene, Boebert, Luna, Gosar, Gaetz, Jackson, Zinke, Johnson, Stefanik, Mace, Hawley, McConnell... they all gotta go!

[soldierant]

23. The word here on the High Plains

is that Boebert is dropping out

Would that the others were so easy to eliminate.

[Initech]

25. I wish we could get rid of all of these lunatics!

[Cha]

4. TY ancianita & Pres Biden & Admin!

[Sedona]

5. Can someone please ahare a gift link for this?

I'd like to read the whole thing.

I used to like Friedman, though I havent for a long time.

Seems like he's coming around again.

[ancianita]

6. Sure. Here. Sorry I forgot there might be a paywall.

https://archive.ph/A3qZe The whole essay is powerful and important.

[Mosby]

8. Sounds like a fantasy story Tom came up with.

Nt.

[ancianita]

12. Tom's got connections with diplomats and people in Western governments. Did you actually read the essay?

[Mosby]

14. I did actually read it after I posted

I wish I didn't.

[ancianita]

17. Well all I can say is I wouldn't bet against Biden. Unless you think you have a better plan?

[oldsoftie]

9. 2nd paragraph holds a pie-in-the-sky dream

"security capabilities to ensure that this state was viable and that it could never threaten Israel"
And just WHO will provide that security & how?

First they'd need to stop raising their children to believe that ALL of Israel must be destroyed & all Jews must die.

[ancianita]

15. Who'd been the stalwart provider of Israel's security before Oct 7? It wasn't Netanyahu, was it. So who.

They'll be given the choice to make a deal first. Then deal with their children second. Remember that Israel and Saudi Arabia were about to make a deal when Tehran sent in its Shia-backed attackers.
Now who's going to make them back off besides Israel. We are. Through the Biden Doctrine for the ME.

[oldsoftie]

19. How is this "Biden doctrine" going to stop the Palestinians from being a threat?

They OPENLY continue to call for the TOTAL destruction of Israel & "death to jews". They raise their children that way in school. They elected Hamas as their leaders (although Hamas has never allowed ANOTHER election)
The majority of Palestinians still want a ONE state solution; ALL of Israel. The numbers do fluctuate but they're still high.
You are CERTAINLY right in the fact that Iran couldn't stomach ANOTHER Arab state, especially their arch rival S.A., making a peace deal with Israel
But as I often ask, why dont these rich Arab nations offer to rid the terrorist threat from the Palestinians in Gaza? Why cant THEY offer to provide a security force to prevent raids like Oct 7? Provide an actual working govt organization for them until they can get their shit together? I would think Israel would welcome that. But THEY need to get rid of Netanyahu too; he's an impediment to any legit peace deal. and the MISERABLE failure of the govt to stop the Oct attacks, which they KNEW was probable, is probably the first step to doing that

[ancianita]

20. I hear you. But just because we don't know how that will work, doesn't mean we should doubt Biden's making it work.

I fully agree with your last paragraph, an argument I've made here for years. The Palestinians have been treated miserably by their Muslim neighbors, particularly as Iran has used its own proxies to stir up Hamas (which is Sunni).
Islamic nations are equally culpable for Palestinians' suffering, and could easily negotiate land donations toward establishing a Palestinian state.

Re alleged support for Hamas, I think you should still consider that, given those who voted in Hamas did it 17 years ago, with no election since or in the lifetimes of 52% the Gaza population, we really don't know if the majority of Palestinians support Hamas. Which is why Biden's plan would give Palestinians more political power in a newly established state of Palestine, imo.

[PortTack]

10. Bibi is going to be the bottle neck!

[TexasBushwhacker]

22. and Hamas

Hamas isn't just about fighting for Palestine. It's about eliminating Israel. Anything less is unacceptable to them.

[ananda]

11. Now this is interesting.

Kudos to Biden and admin for good thinking
and planning!

[ancianita]

16. He's the 65 yr old in an 81 yr old body and wise enough to build a team of geopolitical experts who will make sure

this Doctrine works in the major parties' interests. Biden can't fight Israel's fight FOR it; he, his state dept, tech & military team are planning good trouble that brings a lasting peace. That's a good thing. Friedman explains it better than anyone else I've read in media.

[Hekate]

13. KnRnBookmark

[Mme. Defarge]

21. Thank you for posting the link to the entire column!

It’s powerful and a “must read”. . .

[PufPuf23]

24. POTUS Biden is heading in correct direction.

Support POTUS Biden.