Biden’s Struggles in the Face of Netanyahu’s Dominance
Over the past two months, President Biden has been locked in a cold silence with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with no direct conversations occurring between the two leaders. This diplomatic standoff is set against the backdrop of a major escalation in Israel’s regional conflicts, particularly concerning military actions against Iran. Netanyahu, along with Israel’s senior ministers and military leaders, has been plotting retaliatory strikes against Iran following a series of missile attacks and assassinations. These planned strikes are significant and include both conventional airstrikes on Iranian military targets and covert operations similar to the one that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Despite the Biden administration’s attempts to shape Israel’s response, Netanyahu continues to maintain control over Israel’s military decisions, leaving Biden sidelined.
The Weakness of Biden’s Position in Dealing with Netanyahu
President Biden has been largely outmaneuvered by Netanyahu in his attempts to influence Israel’s military strategy, especially concerning Iran. Netanyahu’s blocking of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s trip to Washington is a clear sign of his control over Israeli defense operations. Gallant, who plays a crucial role in Israel’s defense decisions, was scheduled to meet with U.S. officials, but Netanyahu vetoed the trip, insisting that Gallant could not travel until Netanyahu had spoken with Biden. This move reflects Netanyahu’s dominance and Biden’s inability to effectively bypass the prime minister’s tight grip on Israeli defense. As Netanyahu continues to dictate the course of Israel’s military actions, Biden is left with minimal influence, highlighting his struggles in dealing with Netanyahu’s strategic maneuvers.
Biden’s Struggles in Confronting Israeli Military Decisions
Despite Biden’s efforts to assert authority, Netanyahu continues to dictate the terms of U.S.-Israel communication. National security adviser Jake Sullivan attempted to establish a dialogue with Israel’s strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, hoping for “clarity and transparency” regarding Israel’s military plans. However, these efforts seem futile as Netanyahu continually orchestrates operations behind the scenes without U.S. approval. Israeli officials have hinted that Netanyahu’s retaliation against Iran will be “significant,” regardless of U.S. concerns about escalating the regional conflict. The consistent pattern of Netanyahu sidelining the U.S. highlights Biden’s inability to shape the course of Israel’s actions, rendering his attempts at influence largely ineffective.
Netanyahu’s Control Over Israeli Defense and Foreign Policy
Netanyahu’s decision to block Gallant’s trip further exposes the underlying tensions between him and Biden. The planned visit by Gallant was intended to allow the U.S. to coordinate on Israel’s military strategies, particularly those involving retaliation against Iran. Netanyahu’s quick intervention to block Gallant’s trip shows his refusal to let Biden’s administration play any meaningful role in Israel’s military decisions. According to Israeli officials, “Netanyahu hunkered down” with top ministers and defense leaders, making critical decisions without U.S. involvement. This calculated move once again highlights Netanyahu’s dominance and Biden’s inability to influence these pivotal moments in Israeli decision-making.
Biden’s Ongoing Struggles to Regain Influence
Biden’s ongoing struggle to regain influence over Israel’s military actions continues to be evident in his interactions, or lack thereof, with Netanyahu. After not speaking for over two months, Biden finally had a 45-minute conversation with Netanyahu regarding Israel’s planned military response against Iran. The fact that this was their first discussion in so long demonstrates the extent of Biden’s diminishing control in the relationship. Despite this, Israeli officials remain firmly focused on their own military plans, largely independent of U.S. oversight. This ongoing situation reflects a broader failure in Biden’s administration to maintain the upper hand in U.S.-Israel relations, with Netanyahu consistently asserting his dominance.
Netanyahu’s Consistent Outmaneuvering of Biden in U.S.-Israel Relations
Biden’s attempts to control the narrative in U.S.-Israel relations have repeatedly failed, with Netanyahu continuing to outmaneuver him. The pattern of limited communication and Israel’s unilateral military actions without U.S. consultation showcase Biden’s waning influence. Despite efforts to engage alternative Israeli officials like Defense Minister Gallant, Netanyahu’s control remains steadfast. Biden’s inability to shape Israeli military decisions against Iran shows his administration’s lack of influence in the region. As Netanyahu repeatedly gets his way, the dynamic between the U.S. and Israel reflects a broader imbalance of power, one where Biden’s leadership appears increasingly ineffective.
