US policy is leading to a wider war: Jeffrey Sachs on Middle East tensions | UpFront

Al Jazeera English・2 minutes read

Iran launched a direct attack on Israel following an Israeli strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, sparking concerns about escalating conflict and the US role in restraining Israel and promoting peace in the region. The speaker advocates for a two-state solution with Palestine as a UN member to establish peace and calls for a shift in US policy towards Israel to align with international standards.

Insights

  • The US has a history of aggressive policies towards Iran, aligning with Israel and Arab countries against Iran, but expressed a desire for de-escalation and refrained from military retaliation against Iran, raising questions about its role in restraining Israel and avoiding wider conflict possibilities.
  • Israel's actions in Gaza and escalation with Iran have led to global concerns, undermining US and Israeli coalition efforts against Iran, pushing Iran and Arab countries closer together, and renewing interest in the two-state solution for Israel-Palestine despite doubts about Israel's willingness to compromise.

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Recent questions

  • What sparked the recent conflict between Iran and Israel?

    The conflict was triggered by an Israeli attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, prompting Iran to retaliate with over 300 drones and missiles towards Israel, marking the first direct Iranian attack on Israel.

  • How did the US respond to the conflict between Iran and Israel?

    The US expressed a desire for de-escalation and refrained from joining Israel in military retaliation against Iran, raising questions about whether the US is effectively restraining Israel's actions.

  • What is the current state of relations between Israel and Palestine?

    The conflict between Israel and Palestine remains unresolved, with renewed interest in the two-state solution despite doubts due to settlement expansion and Israel's reluctance to compromise, leading to calls for a one-state solution.

  • What role does the US play in the Israel-Palestine conflict?

    The US has historically supported Israel and aligned with them against Iran, but there are calls for the US to enforce international law, promote peace, and push for a resolution to the conflict, emphasizing responsible action and adherence to international standards.

  • How are recent conflicts impacting US policy towards Israel?

    Recent conflicts resulting in high casualties have led to a new generation of voters questioning the traditional unconditional support for Israel, potentially forcing a shift in US policy towards aligning with international standards based on the UN Charter.

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Summary

00:00

Israel-Iran Conflict: US Role and Solutions

  • On April 13th, Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles towards Israel after an Israeli attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, marking the first direct Iranian attack on Israel.
  • The US expressed a desire for de-escalation and refrained from joining Israel in military retaliation against Iran, questioning if the US is doing enough to restrain Israel.
  • Israel initiated the escalation with the attack on the Diplomatic compound in Damascus, potentially aiming to draw the US into a war with Iran, a move criticized as brazen and illegal.
  • Israel's extremist nationalist cabinet's actions have raised global concerns and led to doubts about their strategy, with growing criticism even from traditional US allies like Korea.
  • The US has a history of aggressive policies towards Iran, including withdrawing from the Iran deal, imposing sanctions, and aligning with Israel and Arab countries against Iran.
  • Israel's actions in Gaza have pushed Iran and Arab countries closer together, undermining US and Israeli coalition efforts against Iran due to Israel's perceived extremism.
  • The US has enabled a failed Israeli strategy, leading to wider conflict possibilities, with unresolved political issues between Israel and Palestine at the core.
  • There is renewed interest in the two-state solution for Israel-Palestine, but doubts arise due to settlement expansion and Israel's refusal to compromise, leading to calls for a one-state solution.
  • The international community's support for the two-state solution is evident, with a push for Palestinian statehood and a resolution to the conflict, despite Netanyahu's resistance.
  • The US's role in enforcing international law and promoting peace in the region is crucial, with calls for the US to assert its power and push for a resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the need for responsible action and adherence to international law.

17:44

US-Israel Policy Shift Amid Conflict Concerns

  • Biden and other US politicians have traditionally supported Israel without any daylight between them, but a new generation of voters is questioning this stance due to recent conflicts resulting in high casualties.
  • The lack of a ceasefire in the current conflict is tied to the absence of a clear long-term solution, with Israel hesitant to agree to a permanent ceasefire without a defined endpoint.
  • The speaker advocates for a two-state solution with Palestine as a UN member to establish a clear direction for peace, which would lead to practical steps like stopping arms flows and providing emergency aid.
  • Global pressure may force a fundamental shift in US policy towards Israel, moving away from unconditional support and towards aligning with international standards based on the UN Charter.
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