The recent attacks on October 7th have sparked a culture war in the West, with divisions emerging between the Left and the Right. This conflict is fueled by anti-Semitism within parts of the Left, which the Right is calling out. However, it also stems from a psychological displacement, as people struggle to comprehend the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and instead retreat into familiar domestic political debates.
One example of this is the resolution put forth by Marjorie Taylor Greene, a pro-Israeli Republican, to censure Rashida Tlaib, a pro-Palestinian Democrat, as an anti-Semite. Although the resolution did not pass, it was met with a potential counter-motion from Democrats labeling Greene as a racist. This kind of schoolyard politics distracts from the larger issues at hand, such as the ongoing violence and the need for a resolution.
Meanwhile, as anti-war activists occupy the congressional Cannon House Office Building and controversial statements are made about innocent Palestinian civilians, President Joe Biden is left to manage the Middle East from his basement. Biden has called for a pause in Israel’s military campaign, aligning the United States with European opinion. This move sheds light on the backroom conditions of US support for Israel, as Washington relies on Israel for planes and military equipment.
Biden faces pressure to protect Palestinian-Americans from the blockade and ensure the safety of Israeli-Americans, while also contemplating the next steps in resolving the conflict. However, the longer the bombings continue, the more radicalized Islamic opinion becomes, increasing the likelihood of a regional war. This is a concerning prospect, especially considering that the US is already stretched thin with its involvement in Ukraine.
The Biden administration believes it can handle multiple wars simultaneously, but this may be wishful thinking. The generation that protested Vietnam may have a deep conviction in supporting just causes, but the realities of today’s America are vastly different. Biden’s recent retreat from Afghanistan and policymakers’ eagerness to engage with another Islamist army demonstrate a failure to learn from history.
Ukraine and Israel pose significant challenges for the US. In Ukraine, the West fights as long as Ukraine wants to, but President Zelensky is determined to regain all lost territory, even against a dug-in and unyielding enemy. This prolonged conflict has strained critical supplies of ammunition and weapons for the US and its allies. Furthermore, if China were to take advantage of the situation and attack Taiwan, while the US is arming both Israel and Ukraine, it would create a precarious situation.
Ukraine has become a bottomless pit, and there is a growing possibility that US politicians may cut off funds. With the new Republican leadership in Congress being unfriendly, the fate of Pax America rests in the hands of President Biden, who has been criticized for his handling of various issues. The loss of authority and the failure to prioritize conflicts that are affordable to wage have put America in a precarious position. The country is burdened with massive debt and weakened internally by culture wars.
In conclusion, the situation in the United States is dangerous because it has lost authority and failed to make strategic decisions about its conflicts. This end-of-empire scenario is exacerbated by internal divisions and a loss of confidence in the political class. It raises concerns about whether America’s political leaders are inching closer to giving up on global affairs and letting the world run itself.
