Tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, prompting political scientist Gilles Kepel to comment that President Trump is reminding the world of the U.S.'s global dominance.
Bailin' Outta G7: Trump's New Middle East Dance
It seems like Donald Trump has got his dancing shoes on again, dashing off from the G7 meetings to convene an emergency national security council meeting – all about the perfidious Iran-Israel conundrum. So, is this the prelude to a full-blown Trump intervention in Arab affairs? According to Gilles Kepel, it's all about Bibi, the Israeli Prime Minister. "Bibi's kicking off the op against Iran because his back's against the wall. The Gaza offensive was a flop. He needs to take down Israel's number one foe: Iran," opines Kepel, a political scientist with an eye for Arab lands.
Global Wardens
Kepel thinks Trump is attempting to remind the world of the USA's supreme power with this council. "Trump let Bibi, under some pressure, take a whack at Lebanon. So you've got a President who's taking action to get the world's attention; we'd kinda forgotten about it," Kepel analyzed. Interestingly, Kepel believes Trump doesn't crave war.
Ponder the video above for more insights
Enrichment Insights:- Trump's actions and statements hint at a potential direct role in the Iranian-Israeli conflict, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's planning large-scale intervention in broader Arab affairs.- Trump is considering whether the US military should support Israel's operations in Iran, specifically targeting nuclear facilities like Fordo, but no decision has been made as of now.- Trump haswarned Iran's supreme leader, indicating readiness to escalate if necessary, but hasn't announced direct intervention yet.- US military movements, such as deploying additional warplanes to Europe, are seen as preparatory steps if Washington chooses a more aggressive stance.- Israel has not formally requested US military involvement and seems prepared to act independently.- US lawmakers visiting the Middle East assert that the US is ready to act if Iran fails to quell its nuclear ambitions, hinting at a flexible approach that could encompass military strikes or other forms of pressure. However, they also underscore the significance of diplomacy and deterrence, suggesting no immediate plan for a long-term intervention in Arab affairs beyond the Iran-nuclear crisis.- Trump's current moves reflect a balancing act: keeping the option of direct intervention on the table to deter Iran, but without committing to a broader intervention in Arab affairs beyond the immediate conflict with Iran and Israel.
- The political scientist Gilles Kepel suggests that Trump's recent actions might be an attempt to remind the international community, including the French, of the United States' dominant role, especially in the context of war-and-conflicts regarding the Iran-Israel conflict and broader Arab affairs.
- As the situation in the Middle East unfolds, global news outlets are covering the potential involvement of the US military in politics, with discussions centering on the possibility of supporting Israel's operations against Iran, especially in terms of targeting nuclear facilities like Fordo.
