America’s acquiescence to Israel

An earlier instance occurred when Secretary of State Henry Kissinger nearly took up residence in the Middle East, conducting shuttle diplomacy between Egypt, Syria, and Israel after the October War of 1973. His mission excluded the Soviet Union and resulted in military and political agreements that redefined the features of the Middle East, some of which still endure as reference points.

Undoubtedly, the America of 2023 differs significantly from that of 1991 or 1973, just as Israel and the Middle East have undergone transformations.

A changed world

Our world today is marked by profound changes. Russia is embroiled in Ukraine and is engaging in global strategic gambits, while China remains on high alert in Asia and beyond.

America grapples with challenges as it seeks to maintain its leadership on the world stage, especially against the backdrop of upcoming pivotal elections amid an unprecedented period of domestic division.

Likewise, the attacks against Israel on 7 October marked an unprecedented development in the decades-long history of the conflict.

Amid these evolving dynamics, or perhaps as a response to them, Biden extended his acquiescence to Netanyahu. This occurred even as signs of regional "rebellions" against American influence emerged.

Here are some noteworthy indicators:

Firstly, Netanyahu initiated a retaliatory campaign in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on its borders. Biden found himself compelled to align with the Israeli perspective on the events of 7 October. Remarkably, he became the first sitting US president to visit Israel during a time of war, endorsing the notion that Israel's actions constituted a "war of survival."

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken took it a step further by openly discussing his Jewish heritage and the Holocaust in front of the cameras, with Netanyahu present. In addition, the United States provided comprehensive military and intelligence support to Israel, deploying military assets off the shores of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel while issuing warnings to Iran and its proxies against expanding the conflict.

Absolving Israel from blame over hospital attack

Furthermore, Biden and American institutions adopted and disseminated Israel's account that it did not bomb Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, killing more than 500 patients, doctors and civilians sheltering in the vicinity, thinking it was a safe place.

Secondly, there was a notable display of Arab assertiveness in their dealings with the Biden administration. Washington's allies in the region refused to alter their stance on the hospital incident, even after Biden absolved Israel from responsibility.

Jordan's King Abdullah II cancelled a planned four-way summit that would have brought together himself, Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. It was an unprecedented move by one of America's closest Arab allies in the region to cancel a summit with a US president.

Another interesting occurrence was that Egypt organised an international-regional-Arab summit focused on bringing peace to Gaza without prior coordination with the US.

While Biden was invited, he didn't attend and decided to send a low-level diplomat to represent the US at the summit. Unfortunately, this summit failed to yield a clear roadmap for the future of Gaza, a resolution to the ongoing ceasefire, or a comprehensive aid plan.

Meanwhile, Biden returned from the Middle East and promptly submitted a request to Congress for extraordinary support, notably for both Israel and Ukraine.

Thirdly,  Biden declared a 'victory' by orchestrating the delivery of 20 trucks through the Rafah crossing into Gaza in exchange for releasing two American women held by Hamas.

This exchange raised eyebrows, as it seemed like a lopsided deal – two women hostages for 20 trucks. President Biden portrayed it as an accomplishment and a win, emphasising his appointment of David Satterfield as Humanitarian Envoy as a strategic decision. However, the whole affair appeared more like a public relations campaign.

Fourthly, American sites faced drone attacks launched by Iranian organisations and militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Tensions escalated, with Hezbollah and Israel engaging in cross-border bombings along the Lebanese border.

Clear signals about an expanded conflict

These events send clear signals and messages about the potential for an expanded conflict, the idea of 'uniting the arenas,' and keeping the northern and southern fronts active despite diplomatic and military alerts and warnings.

The state of diplomacy appeared restrained, leadership seemed lacking, and deterrence appeared to erode, reflecting America's current relationships with both allies and adversaries in the region.

While it's true that America remains the world's most influential power, many major and regional nations are paying close attention to the nuances and growing fault lines.

It's worth noting that maintaining the unipolarity of any global empire typically requires a significant war, and conversely, the decline of such dominance often follows periods of conflict and wars. Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, and Gaza might indicate a changing global landscape.