The Iran war, the Middle East and US foreign policy
The current war raging between Iran and Israel plus the United States represents a stark departure from the behavior of previous U.S. leaders. The administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden maintained traditional strong alliance with Israel, including military assistance, but avoided being drawn into sustained military combat in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump in his second term has decided to join Israel in devastating air attacks on Iran, while moving U.S. Army and Marine Corps forces into the region. A ground invasion of Iran may soon occur.
Trump has reversed course from earlier sustained emphasis on the absolute requirement to avoid direct military engagements overseas. He is acting unilaterally, without securing any approval from Congress. This contrasts with the approaches of both President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush in respectively responding to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and launching our invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The current conflict is sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, but is distinctive from the earlier two wars in important respects, including so far relying on executive authority alone.
Additionally, as yet we have no allies beyond Israel. The First Gulf War involved a comprehensive international coalition, authorized by the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. The Iraq War was also authorized by Congress, and we had several allies, notably faithful Britain.
This war has fully confirmed Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, drastically disrupting fuel transit and fertilizer markets.
Historic context is especially important in view of this radical U.S. departure. In 1973, decisive efforts of the Nixon administration were crucial to Israel’s successful defense against a combined Arab states’ attack. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger led efforts to ease tensions in the region.
This was followed by major peace agreements. President Jimmy Carter’s determination and discipline achieved the historic 1978 Camp David peace between Egypt and Israel, which still survives.
In March 1991, following the expulsion of Iraq’s army from Kuwait, President George H.W. Bush addressed Congress. He did not gloat regarding the defeat of Iraq but rather emphasized the importance of diplomacy, working with others for regional stability and peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Also, Secretary of State James Baker demonstrated extraordinary energy in dedicated diplomacy. The Madrid conference of October 1991 led to the Oslo accords between Israel and the Palestinians, and a Palestinian state. This in turn facilitated the 1994 peace agreement between Israel and Jordan.
Bush and Baker deserve enormous credit for the allied defeat of Iraq and successful post-war diplomacy. Their example should inform U.S. leadership. Cease insulting allies and encourage mediation by Pakistan and Turkey.
The Trump administration in 2020 brokered diplomatic recognition of Israel by the United Arab Emirates. White House adviser Jared Kushner served successfully as intermediary.
The 1956 Suez Crisis remains particularly important. President Dwight Eisenhower used economic leverage and astute diplomacy to end a secretly planned old-style colonial military invasion by Britain, France and Israel to recapture the Suez Canal, nationalized by Egypt’s new military regime and seize the Sinai Peninsula.
As usual, Ike’s instincts were right; our alliance relationships survived.
In 1958, Eisenhower intervened directly in Lebanon with a sizable military force. American troops suffered only one soldier killed by hostile fire. Successful U.S. involvement has included detailed planning, clear objectives and at times distance from Israel.
Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is author of “After the Cold War” (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan).