Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the Middle East this weekend for the fourth time since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October as once-abated fears about a regional conflagration are surging with attacks and assassinations in the Red Sea, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq.
Quick Read
- Blinken’s Middle East Visit: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting the Middle East, marking his fourth trip since the Israel-Hamas war began in October.
- Renewed Regional Tensions: The trip comes amid escalating fears of a broader Middle Eastern conflict, with recent attacks and assassinations in the Red Sea region, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq.
- Initial Relief and Shift in Situation: Initially, the Biden administration was relieved when Israel refrained from pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah. However, tensions have since escalated.
- Israel’s Offensive Posture: Israel is aggressively targeting Hamas operatives and leaders, regardless of their location.
- Increased Activities by Iranian Proxies: Groups like Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and pro-Iran militias have intensified attacks on U.S., Israeli, and international interests.
- Blinken’s Itinerary: His tour includes Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt.
- Diplomatic Challenges: The trip is expected to involve tough discussions on various regional issues and U.S. diplomatic leadership.
- Focus Areas: Blinken aims to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza, address civilian casualties, negotiate the release of hostages, and plan for post-war Gaza administration.
- Recent Developments Impacting Agenda: Recent events, including the killing of a Hamas leader in Beirut, attacks in Iran and Baghdad, and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, will be key topics.
- U.S. Military Posture: The U.S. has been actively deterring Hezbollah, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and warning Iraqi militias against assaults on U.S. interests in Iraq and Syria.
The Associated Press has the story:
Blinken heads to the Mideast again as fears of regional conflict surge
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the Middle East this weekend for the fourth time since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October as once-abated fears about a regional conflagration are surging with attacks and assassinations in the Red Sea, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq.
The Biden administration had breathed a sigh of relief about the potential for a broader Mideast war in the immediate aftermath of Israel’s military response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, when it counseled Israeli officials not to mount pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Two-and-a-half months later, though, the chances of a regional war have increased with Israel determined to strike Hamas operatives and leaders no matter where they are and Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and pro-Iran militias stepping up attacks on U.S., Israeli and international interests in the Red Sea, Iraq and Syria.
Blinken leaves late Thursday on his latest extended Mideast tour. The State Department said Thursday he will visit Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt.
“We don’t expect every conversation on this trip to be easy. There are obviously tough issues facing the region and difficult choices ahead,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. “But the secretary believes it is the responsibility of the United States of America to lead diplomatic efforts to tackle those challenges head on, and he’s prepared to do that in the days to come.”
As with his previous visits, Blinken will be concentrating on expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza, pressing Israel to minimize civilian Palestinian casualties, the release of hostages held by Hamas and the importance of planning for the administration of a post-war Gaza.
But, recent developments, including the drone strike attributed to Israel that killed a senior Hamas leader in Beirut, the explosions in Iran that targeted a memorial service for U.S.-assassinated Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Suleimani, a drone attack on a pro-Iranian Iraqi militia group in Baghdad and U.S. and allied responses to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, will crowd his agenda.
After sending two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean in mid-October in part to deter a Hezbollah response to Israel’s operations in Gaza, the U.S. is now focused on deterring attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea.
At the same time, it has warned Iraqi militia groups that attacks on U.S. troops or bases in Iraq and Syria will not be tolerated.
