As president Joseph Biden moves towards his last major meeting in the United Nations, the prevailing tension in the Middle East casts a combative shadow over the anticipated assembly. The situation between Israel and Palestine, the ongoing civil war in Syria, and the escalating tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have brewed civil unrest and diplomatic anxieties.
Joseph Biden took office amid a time of increased turbulence in the Middle East. The Israeli-Palestinian clash, which notably escalated in recent months after years of relative tranquility, has prompted calls for a shift in U.S. policy regarding the region. President Biden, who has been known for his pro-Israel stance, has found himself in a complex maze composed of geopolitical subtleties and vast humanitarian crises.
In addition, the region saw several power changes, most notably in Israel and Iran, two critical areas of the Middle East that impact the United States’ foreign policy. Preceding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who carried a mostly agreeable relationship with former President Trump, was replaced by Naftali Bennett, signaling possible changes to the Israeli-US alliance. On the Iranian side, President Ebrahim Raisi, known for his hardline stance, could create possible hurdles for the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), colloquially known as the Iran nuclear deal, which was a centerpiece of Biden’s Middle East strategy.
Likewise, the persisting instability in Syria, coupled with the ascendant influence of Iran, continues to pose a significant challenge for Biden’s administration. As the Syrian conflict enters its second decade, the crisis appears to be far from resolved, even though Biden pledged renewed efforts to end the war and ensure a democratic transition in the country.
Saudi Arabia, too, contributes to the region’s tensions, primarily through its rivalry with Iran. While Biden had initially contemplated diminishing ties with the Kingdom because of human rights issues, the threatening security scenario in the Middle East forced a rethink. The administration now maneuvers cautiously between criticizing Saudi policies and maintaining a strategic alliance to counter Iran.
Moreover, the volatile situation in Afghanistan, triggered by the Taliban’s return to power, has added a new challenge for the Biden administration. Potential spillover effects from Afghanistan could further destabilize an already tumultuous Middle East, making it increasingly difficult for Biden to achieve his goal of peace and stability in the region.
In this backdrop, Biden’s last U.N. meeting assumes crucial importance. The President has three vital responsibilities on his plate – maintaining the delicate balance in US relations with Saudi Arabia, reviving the JCPOA, and finding a way to resume peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. An added responsibility is the crisis in Syria, which appears to be heading in an unsuitable direction for both human rights and regional stability.
Therefore, as President Biden approaches his last major U.N. meeting, the Middle East’s prevailing tension and regional power game demand astute diplomatic strategy and closer international cooperation. How the Biden administration navigates these challenges in the U.N. meeting will influence the course of global politics and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. From striking a balance between rival countries to reinvigorating paused peace processes, Biden’s final U.N. meeting will undoubtedly shape the future of the Middle East and his foreign policy legacy.
