An open progressive Democrat is concerned about President Biden’s approach to the Middle East, arguing that it is like “recognizing the defeat of the aspiration” to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Why does it matter: A number of members of Biden’s own party do not like his strategy in the Middle East, as his administration indicates that the region is no longer a priority for President Obama and his predecessors.
- “Obama has strived for greatness,” said Rep. California Democrat Ro Khanna for Axios. “At least he tried.”
- Khanna, 44, supported Senator Bernie Sanders as president and worked with Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) To promote a non-interventionist foreign policy.
Khanna criticized Biden because he did not impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after reports showed he was responsible for the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- In a five-point plan shared exclusively with Axios, he suggests the administration withdraw all remaining US forces in Iraq. He is in favor of concluding a multilateral agreement with regional partners to prevent ISIS from regaining territory.
- He also joined Democrats in criticizing the administration for a recent airstrike on Syrian facilities linked to Iran-backed militia groups.
- Khanna proposes to announce additional resources for security and stability, including aid and development.
- And Khanna’s plan actually calls for other regional actors to increase their presence in the region as the United States withdraws.
But, but, but: Other important players in the region often have very different views on how to maintain stability.
- When the United States withdrew from Syria under Donald Trump, Russia and Turkey – two countries with which the United States has difficult relations – filled the gap.
Flashback: Obama withdrew US military forces from Iraq until 2011, after which sectarian tensions and a weak Iraqi state created a coherent environment for the formation of ISIS.
- This required another US-led intervention in the region in 2014 – a move backed by Khanna.
- Biden told congressional leaders in a letter Saturday that his strike in Syria last week was in line with US self-defense law.
- The White House declined to comment on Khanna’s suggestions.
The Biden administration said in recent moves, he intends to focus on what he sees as more pressing issues.
- During his first foreign policy speech, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the United States’ relationship with China “the greatest geopolitical test of the 21st century.”
- While acknowledging that other nations present their own challenges, Blinken noted China’s ability to destabilize the international system.
- Biden did not call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu until almost a month into his term.
Bottom line: As reported by Barak Ravid of Axios in Tel Aviv, US presidents have been in office for decades hoping to reach a historic peace deal.
- Biden does not see this as feasible in the current circumstances.