The Mid-East War Is A Joint Operation: The US And Israel

When Joe Biden met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet during his visit to Israel, the U.S. president assured them: “I don’t believe you have to be a Jew to be a Zionist, and I am a Zionist.”

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The great irony of the Middle East War is that Americans are presented, almost exclusively, with the Israeli point of view, not the American. Consequently, we learn that Israel invaded Gaza and that it has a limited military operation in Lebanon and with Iran.

This jaundiced, Israeli-centric perspective leads us to believe that the United States plays a minimal role in any hostilities. But nothing could be further from reality. Today, we’ll review how America is actively involved in this rapidly escalating regional conflict, which may go global at any moment.

Although it has dropped off the headlines, Operation Prosperity Guardian is still very active. You may recall that this was the name that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave to American warship’s effort to keep the Red Sea shipping lane open for Israel.

For ten months, the United States Navy has been tasked with keeping the Ansar Allah group, also known as the Houthis, from targeting ships headed for the Port of Eilat, one of the four critical Israeli ports. Portrayed as a separate and distinct operation, this is an integral part of the Mid-East War. The Houthis, after all, are only engaged in this operation because Israel invaded Gaza. Settle the Gaza dispute, and the Houthis indicate that they would re-open all shipping in the Red Sea.

Last week, the U.S. Air Force carried out 15 strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This was exclusively an American operation and represents the ongoing direct strategy of the U.S., which has become a full partner in the Middle East Conflict.

Interestingly, the U.S. does not recognize the Houthis as a legitimate national organization and thus does not hold any direct negotiations with them. Any communications between Washington and the Houthis take place in the Yemen Consulate in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in the week, Iran launched a massive missile attack against Israel. By most estimates, Iran employed nearly 200 rockets and missiles. Although most of the targets were Israeli, one was likely aimed at U.S. participation. The Nevatim Airbase is Israel’s largest, most crucial airfield. The Israelis station their American-made, state-of-the-art F35s fighter jets here, many transport planes, other fighters, and even Prime Minister Netanyahu’s official plane.

It’s also where American logistics aircraft, like the C-130 Hercules and the C-17A Globemasters, daily offload the armament and munitions to fight this War. It is a critically important supply chain hub. Without Nevatim Airbase and American supplies, the War could not continue for long.

National Public Radio, NPR, reports that Nevatim was struck at least 30 times, with at least one major crater in its runway. In the following days, observers saw several F-35s using their STOL, vertical take-off, and landing capability, indicating that the full runway may not be operational.

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/04/nx-s1-5140058/satellite-images-dozens-iranian-missiles-struck-near-israeli-air-base

Undoubtedly, the principal target for the Iranian missile strike was Israel’s military facilities. However, it is also undeniable that Israel’s logistical partner, the United States, was also a target, indicating that Iran sees this War as a partnership between the U.S. and Israel.

And Iran is not alone; increasingly, the international community sees the War as a joint partnership between the United States and Israel.

In July, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that the Israeli occupation of Gaza was illegal and should come to an end. Further, they ruled that other nations were obliged to NOT “render aid or assistance” to Israel in maintaining its presence in Gaza. The United States ignores this ruling and continues to supply Israel with its war efforts.

https://www.icj-cij.org/node/204176

Two weeks ago, the United Nations overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories. If it fails to do so, the U.N. will apply global sanctions. This followed the U.S. Veto of a U.N. Resolution condemning the violence against civilians in Gaza passed last year. Repeatedly, the United States has been Israel’s protector in the United Nations, vetoing any resolution that would condemn Israel’s actions.

So close are Washington and Tel Aviv that President Biden is discussing war strategy, suggesting future Israeli strikes against Iran, for instance. All this, after last week’s missile attack, Iran has now become front and center in Israel’s war plans. This week, the press reported that Biden is discussing whether or not Israel should attack Iranian oil facilities, while he cautioned against attacking Iranian nuclear plants. It indicates a level of planning and cooperation that goes well beyond a mere proxy war, like Ukraine. This war was a partnership in which American leadership and know-how were actively involved in planning and execution.

Today, much of the Arab world has lined up against Israel and its senior partner, the United States, from paramilitary groups like the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah to Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen. For many, this is a multi-generational conflict with roots in the decades past. Their memories recall a history of Arab Israeli struggles, as yearly they honor the martyrs of battles long ago.

To think that we can step in and solve these issues with a decisive military engagement is naive, and to say nothing arrogant. America is now a highly visible part of this War.

We should expect an enemy as resourceful and resilient as this will include us in their future battle plans.

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