The Gaza Diplomacy of Biden, Sunak and Co Seems to Be Heading for Failure

Analysis
GUARDIAN EUROPE: The US president was empathetic, sharp and subtle, but there are signs that his closest Arab allies are losing patience

Two weeks of non-stop western shuttle diplomacy appear to have reached the brink of failure since, as it stands, the west can only point to 20 aid trucks crossing into Gaza as the visible fruit of its labour. At the same time, Israel’s neighbours are taking to the streets and acts of terrorism are returning to the capitals of Europe.

With more than 4,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis already dead, the only certainty is that Gaza’s depleted healthcare system will collapse if Israel launches a lengthy land invasion to wipe out Hamas.

The round of western diplomatic visits to Jerusalem had a dual purpose. They were public acts of solidarity in which the visit was the message, but there was also private questioning of the Israeli war cabinet, and what comes after an invasion.

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Prince Turki al-Faisal the former Saudi ambassador to the US, speaking in Washington, said: “I’ve been hearing a repeated phrase in American media: unprovoked attack. What more provocation is required to make it provoked than what Israel has done to the Palestinian people for three-quarters of a century?” » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, October 20, 2023

Hillary Clinton on Biden’s Age | #shorts

Hillary Clinton on why she thinks Biden should run for re-election. Like many of us, she doesn’t think much of the alternative!
It’s a no-brainer really, isn’t it? It’s a choice between an old fart who delivers or an old clown who wrecks the joint and sows divisions and discord in society! – © Mark Alexander

Full: Biden Makes Remarks in Historic Wartime Visit to Israel

Oct 18, 2023 | President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for Israel during his visit to the country, making him the first U.S. president to do so in a time of conflict. Biden also announced that the U.S. will fund humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank.

Rashid Khalidi on Biden's "Israel-First Approach" & Growing Outrage over Gaza across the Middle East

Oct 18, 2023 | President Biden is in Israel to show more support for its relentless assault on the Gaza Strip, which has reduced much of the territory to rubble, killed at least 3,300 Palestinians and displaced more than a million people. Israel also continues to maintain a complete siege, refusing to let in food, water, fuel, medicines and other necessities. Meanwhile, international outrage is growing over a massive explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital that killed hundreds of people on Tuesday. Palestinian authorities say it was an Israeli airstrike, while Israel has claimed a failed rocket launch by Gaza militants caused the blast. "Whoever was responsible, the result will be enormous, enormous anger at the United States for its support of Israel, as well as a further increase in this enormous death toll inside Gaza," says Palestinian American historian Rashid Khalidi, the Edward Said professor of modern Arab studies at Columbia University.

… Full Biden Speech Rebuking 'Evil' Hamas Terror Attacks

Oct 10, 2023 | President Biden delivers a speech from The White House calling Hamas' terror attack against Israel "evil” and vowing full support for Israel. Biden confirmed 14 Americans were killed in the terror attacks in Israel. Biden revealed telling Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that “if the United States experienced what Israel is experiencing, our response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming.” Biden saying, "In this moment we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel."

UK, US and Allies Offer Israel ‘Steadfast Support’ in Joint Statement

GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: Quint group – which also includes France, Germany and Italy – says ‘terrorist actions’ of Hamas must be ‘universally condemned’

The leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy have released a joint statement expressing “steadfast and united support” for the state of Israel and “unequivocal condemnation” of Hamas.

It follows an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday by the Palestinian militant group, with Israel responding with airstrikes and a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip.

The statement was released after a call between the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak; the US president, Joe Biden; the French president, Emmanuel Macron; the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz; and the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. Together the five countries comprise the Quint international organisation.

“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned,” the statement reads. “There is never any justification for terrorism. » | Hayden Vernon | Monday, October 9, 2023

Biden Accused of Betrayal of Khashoggi over Push to Deepen Saudi Ties

GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: Activists and Democrats condemn rapprochement – aimed at heading off China – with ‘autocratic, sociopathic government’

Biden with the crown prince in Jeddah last summer. Analysts said ‘realpolitik’ had driven Washington to deepen ties with the Saudis. Photograph: Balkis Press/Abaca/Rex/Shutterstock
Joe Biden is facing accusations of betraying a pre-election promise to re-evaluate ties with Saudi Arabia over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in favour of pursuing a rapprochement with the kingdom aimed at repelling a challenge from China to US primacy in the Middle East.

The charge, from human rights campaigners and some Democrats, follows the fifth anniversary of Khashoggi’s death at the hands of Saudi regime agents and comes amid mounting criticism of a proposed new defence treaty between Washington and Riyadh that could result in Saudi Arabia granting official recognition to Israel.

Biden took office initially intending to downplay the traditional US role in the Middle East, a policy consistent with holding Saudi Arabia at arm’s length following the outcry that greeted Khashoggi’s murder.

But the president has since performed a volte-face by saying on a visit to the region that the US would “remain an active, engaged partner” and adding: “We will not walk away and leave a vacuum to be filled by China, Russia, or Iran.” » | Robert Tait in Washington | Saturday, October 7, 2023

Khashoggi was killed five years ago. Thanks to Trump and Biden, Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever: After the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the US vowed to hold Saudi Arabia accountable. Biden has done the opposite »

Joe Biden Vows to Support Ukraine, Despite US Budget Fiasco - BBC News

Oct 2, 2023 | US President Joe Biden has vowed continued US support for Ukraine, after further military funding was excluded from a budget deal.

The temporary measure, pushed through to avert a government shutdown, did not include $6bn (£4.92bn) in military aid for Kyiv - a top White House priority.

Republicans oppose further military aid, with many openly opposing Mr Biden's approach to the war.

Biden Issues a Blistering Attack on Trump

THE NEW YORK TIMES: During an appearance in Arizona, President Biden portrayed former President Donald J. Trump as a budding autocrat with no fidelity to the tenets of American democracy.


President Biden delivered a blistering and direct attack on former President Donald J. Trump during a visit to Arizona. | Pete Marovich for The New York Times
President Biden issued a broad and blistering attack against former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday, accusing his predecessor and would-be successor of inciting violence, seeking unfettered power and plotting to undermine the Constitution if he returns to office in next year’s elections.

In his most direct condemnation of his leading Republican challenger in many months, Mr. Biden portrayed Mr. Trump as a budding autocrat with no fidelity to the tenets of American democracy and who is motivated by hatred and a desire for retribution. While he usually avoids referring to Mr. Trump by name, Mr. Biden this time held nothing back as he offered a dire warning about the consequences of a new Trump term.

“This is a dangerous notion, this president is above the law, no limits on power,” Mr. Biden said in a speech in Tempe, Ariz. “Trump says the Constitution gave him, quote, the right to do whatever he wants as president, end of quote. I never heard a president say that in jest. Not guided by the Constitution or by common service and decency toward our fellow Americans but by vengeance and vindictiveness.” » | Peter Baker, Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. | Thursday, September 28, 2023

Biden Urges Leaders to 'Stand Up to Naked Aggression' in Ukraine | DW News

Sep 19, 2023 | World leaders have gathered for the 78th UN General Assembly UN headquarters in New York.

"For the second year in a row, this gathering that is dedicated to the peaceful resolution of conflicts is darkened by the shadow of war," US President Joe Biden told world leaders at the UN General Assembly meeting.

"We strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that delivers a just and lasting peace," he said, referring to Ukraine's offer of negotiations with Russia, albeit only after a full military withdrawal.

What Donald Trump & Joe Biden Get Wrong about the UAW* Strike & USA's Economic Future | The Warning

Sep 19, 2023 | Steve Schmidt breaks down the impact the UAW strike could have on the 2024 presidential election race and how Joe Biden needs to improve his stance with middle class Americans in order to prevent Donald Trump from winning a second term.

* United Automobile Workers

Biden Praises India's Modi and Saudi Arabia's MBS at G20 Summit

Sep 9, 2023 | President Biden speaks at a G20 Summit panel on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.

Steve Schmidt Explains How a Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden Re-match Will Play Out in 2024 | The Warning with Steve Schmidt

Sep 6, 2023 | Steve Schmidt breaks down the challenge American voters face in a 2024 election featuring a rematch between Donald Trump & Joe Biden.

Man Who Threatened US President Joe Biden Shot Dead in FBI Raid – BBC News

Aug 9, 2023 | A man who posted violent threats against US President Joe Biden and other officials online was shot dead during an FBI raid on Wednesday. Agents were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Craig Robertson at his home in Utah, just hours ahead of a planned visit to the state by Mr Biden. A criminal complaint said Robertson posted threats on Facebook against Mr Biden and a prosecutor pursuing criminal charges against Donald Trump. The FBI declined to give more details.

Issue 1: Ohio Vote Delivers Win for Abortion-rights Supporters - BBC News

Aug 9, 2023 | Ohio has rejected a Republican motion to make it harder to change the state's constitution - a move seen as a defeat for anti-abortion groups. The Republican-controlled state legislature had hoped to raise the bar for constitutional amendments to 60% instead of a simple majority. It was largely seen as a move to derail a planned referendum to place abortion rights into the constitution. US President Joe Biden called it a “victory for democracy and for women”.

Biden at the Beach

Jul 31, 2023

The Guardian View on Supplying Cluster Bombs: Not Just a ‘Difficult’ Decision, But the Wrong One

THE GUARDIAN: The US is to transfer the devastating weapons to Ukraine. Kyiv is in a desperate struggle – but Joe Biden should not have approved this

Twenty-thousand Laotians, almost half of them children, have been killed or injured by unexploded ordnance since the Vietnam war ended. It is half a century since the US stopped bombing Laos, having dropped more than 2m tons of cluster munitions; decades on, people then unborn are still paying the price. On one estimate, it will take another 100 years to fully clear the country.

This is the true cost of cluster munitions. They are not only indiscriminate in showering dozens or hundreds of bomblets over a large area, but also have a lethal legacy because so many fail to explode, only to later be trodden on or picked up – often by curious children. For these reasons, more than 120 countries have signed the convention prohibiting their use, production, transfer and stockpiling.

The US, Russia and Ukraine, however, have never been signatories. Russia has used them extensively in Ukraine, including in populated areas where no military personnel or infrastructure were evident. Kyiv has also employed them, more sparingly, but reportedly at the cost of civilian lives in Izium (though it denies they were used there). Now the US will supply more as part of a $800m (£625m) military aid package, at Kyiv’s request. Thankfully, the UK, which has signed the convention but still holds some of the munitions, has ruled out following suit. Joe Biden has said he made a “difficult decision”. No doubt. But the president has made the wrong one. » | Editorial | Monday, July 10, 2023

The Lincoln Project: US Taxes on Billioaires

Joe Biden on US tax rates on billionaires.

The Guardian View on Sunak’s Foreign Policy: A Europe-shaped Hole

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: Britain’s alliance with Washington would be stronger if the PM cultivated better relations with continental neighbours

The alliance between Britain and the US, resting on deep foundations of shared history and strategic interest, is not overly affected by the personal relationship between a prime minister and a president.

Sometimes individual affinity is consequential, as when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were aligned over cold war doctrine, or when Tony Blair put Britain in lockstep with George W Bush for the march to war in Iraq. But there is no prospect of Rishi Sunak forming such a partnership – for good or ill – with Joe Biden at this week’s Washington summit.

Viewed from the White House, the prime minister cuts an insubstantial figure – the caretaker leader of a country that has lost its way. That doesn’t jeopardise the underlying relationship. Britain is a highly valued US ally, most notably in the fields of defence, security and intelligence. On trade and economics, Mr Sunak’s position is less comfortable. The prime minister is a poor match with a president who thinks Brexit was an epic blunder and whose flagship policy is a rebuttal of the sacred doctrines of the Conservative party. » | Editorial | Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Rishi Sunak’s White House Jolly Can’t Mask the Fact That Brexit Britain Is a Fading Power

THE GUARDIAN: The prime minister arrives in Washington with no real leverage in Europe – and therefore no real leverage with Joe Biden

‘Joe Biden can bestow the normal diplomatic courtesies on Rishi Sunak at this week’s summit, while conceding nothing of strategic substance.’ Biden and Sunak in Belfast, April 2023. Photograph: Reuters
The Americans know how to make a prime minister feel special. It isn’t hard. Saying “you are special” or words to that effect, usually does the trick. It helps to say it in the White House, within earshot of the British press corps.

Westminster hacks and Downing Street aides, most of whom are unhealthily obsessed with US politics, love a Washington summit for the same reason that Harry Potter fans queue to visit the Warner Bros studio in Watford. Standing on the stage where the magic happens is its own reward.

That makes Rishi Sunak a cheap date for Joe Biden at this week’s summit. The US president can bestow the normal diplomatic courtesies, while conceding nothing of strategic substance. Downing Street then tells friendly journalists that the two men bonded over baseball, or some other shared cultural enthusiasm, or that their wives did. The prime minister flies home with burnished credentials as the leader of a very important country indeed. » | Rafael Behr | Wednesady June 7, 2023

Schoolboy meets granddad. Naturally, granddad puts schoolboy in his place. Also probably advising him to pay more attention to his homework, especially that relating to geopolitics. Granddad will surely also add that he has been a very silly boy to back Brexit, telling him he should have known better. – © Mark Alexander

Rish! demonstrates the incapabilities of artificial stupidity during US jolly: Despite big talk on AI, trade and Ukraine, it’s obvious to all PM’s visit is a waste of his and Joe’s time »

Rishi Sunak is most unimpressive. Has he ever done anything in politcs that impresses anyone? No, please don't mention his give-aways to his croney friends during the pandemic. That 'generosity' doesn't count. He should have helped EVERYONE, not just his select donors and chums. All of us had to live through the pandemic. We all suffered. Because of Sunak's policies, the select few made a killing; the rest of us had to go and sing for our supper, so to speak. – © Mark Alexander