The current administration seems to be of the mistaken belief that merely stating a desire for a particular outcome would magically transform it into reality. Unfortunately, as recent times have demonstrated, simply expressing a wish for something, be it a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, a peaceful resolution with Iran, a calming of tensions in the Middle East, or even a Saudi-Israeli alliance against Iran, does not bring it to fruition.
In fact, evidence points to the contrary. The ability to wisely navigate international politics seems to have eluded the White House entirely. It appears they are yet to understand that when you chastise an ally publicly, it doesn’t happen in a vacuum; adversaries are tuned in and plotting their next moves accordingly. Any semblance of the intended strategy, or lack thereof, outlined for the world is quickly exploited by those who seek to undermine it.
The unfortunate consequence of broadcasting every intention and each self-imposed limitation is that it arms antagonists with invaluable insight. When you create a narrative about retreating from a region, it’s an open invitation for disruptive forces to fill the void. As a result, now, more than ever, we find ourselves on the brink of international conflict.
The term ‘Abracadabra’ often associated with magic and conjuring the impossible is believed to have its roots in the Hebrew phrase ‘ebrah k’dabri,’ which translates to ‘my words will create reality.’ Ironically, this seems to be the ill-conceived approach of the Biden administration. However, the resultant reality isn’t quite what the President envisioned.
The situation in Ukraine perfectly illustrates this. The repeated public assertions made by the administration, stating that American firepower would not be deployed on Russian land, have misguidedly been taken as a go-ahead by Kremlin. The result? A far cry from the desired de-escalation.
Similar missteps can be observed in dealing with one of the most formidable threats to the Middle East and world peace – Iran. Following the elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran by Israel, the region teeters on the brink of conflict, compounded by the anticipation of Iran’s retaliation. Surprisingly, unlike Washington, Tehran has been far more strategic, concealing its intentions and utilizing this period of uncertainty to throw its enemies off balance.
On one occasion, when questioned about his stand towards Tehran, Biden’s response was simply ‘Don’t.’ Not ironically, this mirrored his ambiguous response from back in April. Even Benjamin Netanyahu probably had to withhold a sarcastic comment of gratitude. The last time Biden issued such an ineffectual command, Israel suffered a wave of missiles and drone attacks provoked by Iran’s defiance of his feeble directive.
Although an international coalition led by the U.S. successfully defended Israeli airspace during the previous attack, highlighting Iran’s threat and the West’s military prowess, the White House shockingly urged Israel to ‘take the win’ and avoid retaliation the very next day.
Despite this, Jerusalem managed to dismantle a radar system near Iran’s nuclear facility in Natanz, effectively signaling its own capabilities. The sufficient deterrent this act might have created to prevent a regional war remains uncertain. But one thing was clear: the American leadership’s reluctance to counter aggression left an indelible impression on the Ayatollah. This undoubtedly influences how he perceives the U.S. military presence in the region and Biden’s frequent admonitions of ‘don’t’.
Surveying the fraught situation, it’s hard to deny the advantage Iran seems to hold over Washington. Moreover, one must question whether the U.S. has any sort of coherent methodology towards handling Iran. Under previous leadership, the U.S. withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2018 and imposed a series of harsh sanctions, a move which, at the very least, slowed Iran’s nuclear advancements and instilled caution in its decision-making.
Contrastingly, Biden’s leniency towards Iran began even prior to his presidency. He vocalized his eagerness to reinstate the Obama deal during the 2020 campaign, a message that was only too well received by the Ayatollah. Consequently, Iran exploited the prolonged subsequent negotiations to expedite their nuclear program while the White House chose to remain cordial.
In response to this, the Biden administration doubled down on its policy of appeasement, choosing to ignore its own sanctions and released $16 billion of previously frozen Iranian assets leading up to October 7. Despite the Hamas attacks, they went on to extend a sanctions waiver, giving the regime access to an additional $10 billion from selling electricity to Iraq. Needless to say, Tehran recognized the signal for what it was, and predictably acted contrary to the White House’s expectations.
So, under Biden, the twilight of American influence is being heralded, surpassing even the ill-fated Afghan withdrawal of 2021. The global stage is fraught with chaos, with Russia and China being emboldened, while America’s most trusted Middle Eastern ally stands singly against threats. At the same time, the world watches as Iran – a rampant, perilous, oppressive theocracy aligned with Moscow and Beijing – steadily rises to become a nuclear superpower in the region.
Isn’t it clear that the world would have been better off had the American leadership held its ground and tackled the Iranian issue head-on? Biden’s refusal to stand firm and his inclination to revert to the previous administration’s failed policies not only embolden Iran but also endanger peace in the Middle East and the world. Instead of conjuring unrealistic diplomatic magic, the White House should have forged a robust, effective, and realistic foreign policy from the start.
As we stand on the brink of potential multi-front conflicts, the consequences of such disastrous foreign policy decisions are already clear. The administration’s naivety and lack of understanding of global politics have not only driven a wedge between the U.S. and its allies but also empowered its enemies. An approach that adheres to the principle of ‘Abracadabra’ diplomacy, that words can magically dictate reality, is a dangerous fairy tale, and we are all beginning to understand the harsh repercussions of living in this fantasy.
The current state of the world, under the Biden administration’s direction, stands as a stark reminder that leadership without a fundamental understanding of international dynamics is futile. Abracadabra is no substitute for an informed, decisive, and coherent foreign policy. Tough, unyielding stands rather than magical thinking should be the cornerstone of the strategy for confronting the world’s most potent threats.
Biden’s ‘Abracadabra’ Approach To Foreign Policy Invites Global Chaos appeared first on Real News Now.
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