The risk of wider war in the Middle East looms over Biden’s reelection effort
-
Roshan Amiri
- . April 8, 2024
- . Update: April 8, 2024 9:17 pm
The war between Israel and Hamas has been going on for six months. This crisis is causing big problems for President Biden. It is impacting US domestic politics and weighing heavily on Biden’s reelection bid.
The Omnipresent Geopolitical Risks Facing Biden’s Reelection Effort
Over the weekend, US officials warned of a potential retaliatory attack by Iran. This is after an Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus. Israel also plans to escalate fighting on its northern border with Lebanon. At the same time, Israel continues operations in Gaza to defeat Hamas. This group killed over 1,200 Israelis and took over 200 hostages. Ceasefire talks are happening in Cairo, but there is growing international anger over the human toll – over 30,000 Palestinians killed.
Biden’s Political Backlash and Reelection Prospects
At home, Biden is facing strong criticism from progressive, young and Arab American voters. This could hurt his chances of winning key swing states in the 2024 election. Protesters have been disrupting Biden’s campaign events. This could cause problems for him at the Democratic convention if the conflict is still going on.
Tensions with Netanyahu and the Impact on Biden’s Reelection
Biden called Netanyahu last week and urged him to take certain steps. Previously, Biden criticized Israel’s tactics but didn’t impose consequences. Now Netanyahu is determined to eliminate all Hamas fighters, even if it leads to more civilian deaths in Gaza. This is causing tension and distrust between the White House and Israel.
Keep Reading
The Threat of a New Clash with Iran and Implications for Biden’s Reelection
There has been no breakthrough in ceasefire talks involving Israel, Hamas, Gulf states and the US. This suggests the war is far from over. Democrats are worried this will hurt Biden’s reelection chances. After an attack on an aid convoy, more Democrats are telling Biden he needs to exert more control over Netanyahu.
At the same time, Israel and the US are warning that Iran may retaliate for the Damascus attack. Both parties in Washington are concerned about the potential for the conflict to escalate further and impact Biden’s political future.
