The US Needs Decisions on the Middle East, the World

It now appears that the notion of a moderately stabilized Middle East is already outdated. Following the Hamas invasion of Israel, a humanitarian crisis looms as Israel plans its invasion of the southern city of Rafah, and Egypt is fortifying its border to prevent any influx of refugees. 

Meanwhile, according to a Wall Street Journal article, Iran-aligned militias have attacked U.S. military personnel over 170 times since October 7th. As of late, one particular group, the Houthis, has fired almost 95 drones and missiles at more than 45 commercial and military ships in the Red Sea, causing shipping traffic to decrease by 67% since October.  

So far, in response to attacks on military personnel, the US has launched retaliatory strikes on the facilities of Kataib Hezbollah militants, according to the Associated Press, and the US and select allies have executed nearly two dozen airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since January. 

The US fears escalation into broader conflict because, so far, its strikes on militant group targets have done nothing to deter their attacks. It appears that the US is doing everything possible to keep itself from entering the Middle East more than it already is. In that case, many would argue that a fear of escalation is only going to breed more problems that will eventually force the US deeper into the region, which requires harsher action now, but the issue is more interdependent.  

The Houthis and other groups, which are known to be supported by Iran, have justified their attacks as in retaliation for the Israeli invasion of Palestine, for which the US and the West continue to lend their support. The issue is that the case of Palestine is increasingly isolating the West’s influence, as many countries in the developing world, some of which have the increasing potential to be hostile, are in support of Palestine. For example, included in a report from Reuters, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva recently asserted that “What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” 

With each multilateral action taken by the West under the lead of the US, the popularity of the West declines in parts of the world. That being said, popularity does not matter when respect is in place, but with American reluctance for escalation with Iran, increasing verbal reprimands of Israel, and reluctance to escalate the war in Ukraine, it seems that it is having a difficult time deciding between popularity and respect.  

Therefore, in a world that is again becoming increasingly divided between West and East, the US must decide now whether it will maintain the status quo through the power of an American-led West, or through courting popularity around the world by keeping to itself. There are certainly arguments for both, as many countries can find another option for leadership in China. Still, if the US wants the status quo in the former option, then all substantive action must be taken on Ukraine, Iran, and Taiwan without fear of escalation. Only then will challenges from groups like the Houthis be deterred. Until then, keep getting the airstrikes ready.