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Previewing President Biden’s Middle East Trip - AJC Advocacy Anywhere
Connecting Strategic Dots: Biden’s Visit to the Middle East
During Biden's upcoming visit, he plans to form a regional defense alliance at a regional conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The coalition will include the United States, Israel, and a host of Arab countries, including Gulf states, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. In this sense, Biden continues Trump's policy of the Abraham Accords.
Netanyahu criticizes new Israeli government over Iran Prof. Efraim Inbar: Promising the US “no surprises” is not always in the best interest of Israel.
On the Biden-Putin SummitInterview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon
US determination to draw down in the Middle East, which characterized the Obama, Trump and now Biden administrations, appears likely to prevent the development of any coherent strategy.
A guide to the Biden Administration’s first moves and initial set of senior officials. It is no wonder that popular disenchantment with US elites sometimes bubbles to the surface in unexpected ways.
If current Mideast violence a test, some experts say Biden is failingProf. Efraim Inbar: How long will it take the progressives to affect the Biden administration?
A briefing by Prof. Efraim Inbar for the Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET, 28.04.2021).
Why Israel won’t follow Biden’s lead and recognize Armenian genocideDr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak: Israel should keep itself distant from this debate. Recognition will not contribute to Israel’s national interest. On the contrary, it will create problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
On Biden Administration Middle East PolicyInterview with Dr. Eran Lerman
After Saviz strike, Israel may be in dire straits trying to battle Iran at seaGeneral Amidror of JISS: The endgame is to make it clear to the Iranians that they cannot strike civilian ships that have a connection to Israel. And if they continue to do that, then Israel knows how to operate against Iran.
The US decision to withdraw support from the battle against the Houtis in Yemen signals a change of direction away from staunch backing of Western allies in the contest with Iran, and towards an attempt at “balancing” between rival regional powers, along the lines attempted by the Obama Administration.
Washington will bury any chance for peace if it reverts to the “Everybody Knows Paradigm” which demands Israeli withdrawal to the 1949 armistice lines
Israel-US dialogue is necessary about Iran’s nuclear program, since a good agreement with Iran is a clear Israeli interest. But Israel must be prepared with a military option against Iran, as a last resort.
Will a US-Saudi rift affect Israel?Inbar and Spyer: Biden’s push for human rights will backfire, especially if coupled with U.S. inaction regarding Iran and a return to the failed 2015 nuclear deal.
Jerusalem views with trepidation the possibility that the Biden administration will embark on a human rights crusade in the Middle East.
On Biden Administration policies that will impact IsraelInterview with Dr. Eran Lerman
A Cold Egyptian-Israeli Peace Undermines Both Culture and SecurityThe old paradigm of scapegoating Israel undermines Egyptian national security interests. Prof. Efraim Inbar: Egyptian distrust of Israel is rooted in cultural and religious barriers.
On US air strikes in SyriaInterview with Dr. Eran Lerman
The desire for an end to war in Yemen is understandable. Unfortunately, however, the US has leverage over only one of the sides.
Rare visit to Israel by Egypt’s oil minister sends signals to Biden, Erdogan Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: The trip, following similar delegations of Greek and Cypriot leaders, is intended to show that regional allies are united and coordinated when dealing with foes and friends, including President Biden.
The next Israeli government would be well-advised to come-up with its own proposals for improving the life of Palestinians, both to further improve its own regional standing and to meet (some of the) administration’s expectations, in dialogue and partnership.
With US cold shoulder, should Israel now pivot towards France?Col. Olivier Rafowicz: France’s political interests currently dovetail with Israel’s on multiple issues. Col. Eran Lerman: Israel needs to be more closely coordinated with Paris.
What signals is Biden sending about his Middle East policy?Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Early signals have been “a mixed bag,” with some of the actions and statements very worrisome and others more positive.
Establishing coherent US policy regarding brewing conflict in the eastern Mediterranean should be a Biden administration priority. By restraining Erdogan's ambitions, the US can add to stability and rebuild bridges with key European players and traditional US allies. The governments of Israel and Greece, in consultation with Egypt, should work together to advance this perspective in Washington.
Erdoğan has created a private military and paramilitary system. He deploys this apparatus for domestic and foreign operations without official oversight.
JISS Briefing by Prof. Efraim Inbar, 31.01.2021
Netanyahu warns as Biden seeks reentry to Iran deal Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror at JISS: If the US returns to the old nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel will have no choice but to act militarily to prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear weapon.
On US Policy Towards IranInterview with Prof. Efraim Inbar
A "Clean Return," without ironclad new provisions that strengthen and lengthen the JCPOA, will diminish US clout and destabilize the Mideast.
Giving Iran unearned incentives in advance of negotiations only will bring about more Iranian provocation.
‘Erratic’ or ‘Strategic Clarity’: What to make of Trump’s Middle East legacy?Prof. Efraim Inbar: Trump and Kushner contributed to strategic clarity. The faulty JCPOA was dropped and diplomacy was used to bring the Gulf states, Sudan and Morocco closer to Israel.
With Iran nuclear deal likely, Israel puts all options back on the tableGeneral Amidror of JISS: If the US returns to the old nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel will have no choice but to act militarily to prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear weapon.
Biden's Policies Toward Israel Starkly Different From Trump's, Experts SayProf. Efraim Inbar: Biden is a close friend of Israel. His presence in the White House is an opportunity to rehabilitate relations with the Democratic Party.
It is possible to restore American bipartisan backing for Israel. Therefore, it is important to avoid being too identified with President Trump, despite Israeli gratitude due to him for many of his policies. Bonds between Israel and American Jewry should be bolstered; bridges should be built to both sides of the aisle in Congress; and US defense establishment support should be solicited. All this, in view of Israel's need to influence decisions in Washington on matters vital to its future.
Iran-Israel relations are essentially a zero-sum game, leaving Israel little choice but to act upon its existential instincts. Therefore, escalation in the use of force to reverse Iranian ascendance in Middle East politics, to prevent its nuclearization, and to prevent the encirclement of Israel by Iranian proxies, is probable.
Experts predict what Israel can expect from new administrationA conference held by JISS and B’nai B’rith International looked at the likely foreign policy priorities of the Biden administration, ranging from COVID-19 to climate change and Iran.
Putin’s strategy in Israel, Iran and SyriaMs. Micky Aharonson explains how Israel maneuvers between Washington and Moscow, and what she expects from the Biden administration regarding Russia policy. (Al Monitor podcast, 09.12.2020)
The Palestinian quest for an internationally imposed “solution,” which would not require them to negotiate a compromise deal with Israel, has failed. Palestinian leaders may attempt this again after Joe Biden becomes US president, but this will fail yet again, since the collapse of their past strategy is due to much more than the policies of the Trump Administration. Indeed, evolving regional and global realities allow for a new Israeli peace initiative, which can preserve the underlying principles of the Trump outline for peace.
Can Biden move Qatar away from Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood?Prof. Efraim Inbar: Qatar spends enormous amounts of money in systematic support for the nefarious activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its branches all over the world.
Benjamin Netanyahu visits Saudi ArabiaDr. Emmanuel Navon: The meeting sets the stage before finding out what will be Biden's policy.
Biden’s foreign-policy appointments and what they might mean for IsraelProf. Efraim Inbar: Tony Blinken is “on record” demanding an extension of the sunset clauses in the JCPOA
Israel should seek to persuade the Biden transition team not to offer Iran any premature concessions; it should outline what would constitute an acceptable, "stronger and longer" deal; find other international actors to support the policy suggested by Israel (possibly France and even Russia); and prepare a viable military option, both to strengthen America’s negotiating hand and as an option in the case of failure to reverse Iran's present course.
To acquire greater freedom of action in dealing with Iran's quest for nuclear weapons, Israel needs to minimize tensions with the US on the Palestinian front.
Video lecture by Prof. Efraim Inbar for the Middle East Institute in New Delhi, India. (Oct. 28, 2020)
Gulf state concerns about the US electionsInterview with Dr. Joshua Krasna
China and the US ElectionsInterview with Tuvia Gering
The world is watching the U.S. voteDr. Eran Lerman: The Trump administration has positioned itself on a whole range of major issues where the vast majority of Israelis want to be.
Both Biden’s and Trump’s Iran policies raise concerns in IsraelGeneral Amidror: Israel’s redline is that Iran must not get close to a nuclear bomb. Iran can have no legitimacy for enrichment or long-term nuclear development.
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