Biden Administration Faces Uphill Battle in Middle East as “Day After” Plan Stumbles

In a diplomatic setback for the Biden administration, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent tour of the Middle East has underscored the challenges. It highlights the difficulty in garnering support for the so-called “day after” plan for the Gaza Strip. The ambitious strategy aims to achieve three main goals. These goals include reinvigorating the Palestinian Authority (PA), extending its influence over Gaza, and restarting long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. However, this approach has faced skepticism and reluctance from key regional partners.

Turkish Tensions Intensify: Erdogan’s Provocative Remarks

During Blinken’s visit to the Turkish capital in early January, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inflammatory remarks added fuel to the diplomatic fire. Erdogan declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “richer than Hitler” and accused him of receiving extensive support from the U.S. Despite Erdogan’s history of associating Israelis with Nazis, Blinken remained optimistic, stating that “it’s evident that Turkey is ready to play a constructive, fruitful role in the activities required the day after the conflict concludes.”

Blinken’s Post-Turkey Challenges

According to The Washington Post, however, Blinken’s optimism did not endure throughout the rest of his Middle East tour. Upon returning home, he had little to show for his efforts. This highlights the reluctance of America’s regional partners to actively support President Joe Biden’s diplomatic initiatives. The Arab states’ recent plan to end the conflict was deemed little more than a reheated peace proposal from 2002.

Biden Administration’s Role Scrutinized

The Biden administration’s passivity appears to be a stumbling block in securing cooperation from allies in the region. Regional leaders in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., and Bahrain are not fundamentally opposed to Biden’s efforts. However, they demand more decisive action from Washington. The key issue lies in reforming the PA, countering Iran’s influence, and isolating troublemakers like Qatar and Turkey.

Divergent Approaches Across the Region

According to a Bloomberg report, Jordan, with deep ties to the U.S., has refrained from substantial action, primarily issuing condemnations of Israel. In Egypt, President Abdel Fatah el Sisi treads cautiously, mindful of groups involved in the 2011 uprising with ties to Palestinian solidarity committees.

Saudi Arabia, aspiring to be the region’s dominant power, remains on the sidelines to avoid provoking Iran. The Emiratis, Israel’s closest partner in the Arab world, express skepticism about American efforts. Meanwhile, Qatar and Turkey continue to support Hamas.

Biden Administration at a Crossroads

For the Biden administration to overcome these challenges, it must adopt a more proactive stance. Excluding Turkey and Qatar from the diplomatic process is one approach. Pressuring Abbas for reform is another strategy, and taking a tougher stance against Iran’s “axis of resistance” could pave the way for greater regional cooperation.

“Day After” Plan Faces Complexity

As the Biden administration grapples with these hurdles, the future of its “day after” plan remains uncertain. This underscores the complexity of Middle East diplomacy. It also emphasizes the necessity for decisive and strategic actions to achieve lasting peace.