While Republicans and Democrats are locked in a struggle for the presidency, the political landscape within the Democratic Party has been characterized by a struggle for power between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris about who is leading America today. the result was a series of mixed messages, particularly regarding foreign policy, and hurting U.S.-Israel relations.
A significant example of this discord was the warning from the Biden-Harris administration concerning Israel's decision to sideline the U.S. and proceed with military operations in Rafa.
Other developments further complicated the situation when the Arab American Political Action Committee announced it would not endorse Harris due to her support for Israel in its conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. This move seemed to push the administration into damage control mode, leading to a hastily issued threat of a U.S. arms embargo on Israel aimed at regaining Arab-American support in Michigan. American Jews and the citizens of Israel did not see this seesaw kindly.
Israel's elimination of Hamas leader Sinwar after its successful elimination of Nasrallah intensified the political friction, as both Biden and Harris tried to present themselves as instrumental in facilitating this outcome while holding a loaded gun aimed at Israel’s leadership. This situation highlights a broader issue: instead of demonstrating a cohesive strategy, the administration appeared to be divided, with Harris and Biden vying for the spotlight as the definitive leader of American foreign policy trying to claim the victory is theirs while clearly not supporting or standing behind Israel for its actions.
A deeper concern is the apparent misalignment between the administration's public stance and actual policy moves to fight and protect Americans taken hostage by Hamas. The expectation was that American forces might directly engage in operations to rescue U.S. hostages and apprehend or eliminate key figures within organizations like Hamas, which pose a direct threat to American lives. Instead, credit was claimed opportunistically, after the fact, for outcomes that were achieved contrary to U.S. directives and lack of actions.
Domestically, there is a loss of trust among the Democratic base and the general populace. The attempt to balance competing interests has left many feeling that the Biden-Harris administration was attempting to side-step clear policy stances in favor of electoral gain. This sentiment is illustrated by reactions from public figures such as pop star Lizzo, who recently remarked after a rally appearance with Harris that "the whole country will be like Detroit" if Kamala takes charge, signaling widespread frustration.
Ultimately, these dynamics could have significant ramifications on election day. Voters will question the administration’s dedication to U.S. security and its propensity to place political calculations over principled action. The current situation shows the precariousness of playing both sides amid the volatile backdrop of international and domestic politics.
The American People Are Not Stupid!
Democratic's and Republicans both know Israel has every right to defend itself and make autonomous decisions regarding its security. The struggle for control within the U.S. Democratic administration between Biden and Harris continues to expose fissures in leadership and strategic vision, diminishing American influence abroad and contributing to skepticism among domestic constituents.
It is to be hoped that the next administration navigates its path while reconciling internal divisions and can present coherent, consistent policies that prioritize safety and integrity over political expediency and coherent support for American allies.