Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s Upcoming Middle East Trip
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is set to embark on another diplomatic mission to the Middle East starting Monday. This trip will include a crucial stop in Israel, as the Biden administration intensifies its efforts to restore stability to the region following the recent death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
This marks Mr. Blinken’s 11th visit to the region since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. Notably, he is returning to Israel after choosing to bypass the country during his previous trip a month ago. Although the State Department has yet to specify all the countries on his itinerary, past trips have typically included stops in Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
U.S. President Joe Biden and other officials believe that the assassination of Mr. Sinwar may open up new avenues for diplomacy, particularly concerning the long-stalled negotiations aimed at achieving a cease-fire in Gaza. Such a cease-fire could potentially facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and enable a significant influx of humanitarian aid to Palestinians caught in the conflict. Despite this, both Hamas and Israeli leaders have pledged to continue their respective military campaigns, leading many analysts to express skepticism regarding the feasibility of any forthcoming agreements.
Mr. Blinken’s arrival in the region comes at a critical juncture, as Israeli forces prepare for a potential strike on Iran in retaliation for a recent barrage of ballistic missiles directed at Israel. Discussions between American and Israeli officials have intensified over the past weeks regarding an appropriate response. Israeli leaders have communicated to Washington their intention to avoid targeting Iranian nuclear or energy facilities, which could trigger a dramatic escalation of tensions between the nations.
In addition to addressing the immediate security concerns, Mr. Blinken will focus on several other key issues during his trip. This includes strategizing for the governance and security framework for Gaza once Israel’s military operations there conclude. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller highlighted these agenda items in a statement regarding the upcoming travel.
President Biden provided a glimpse into this aspect of Mr. Blinken’s mission during a press briefing on Thursday, sharing that he had engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We’re working on what comes next—how do we ensure security in Gaza and move forward?” Mr. Biden remarked.
As Israel continues its military operations targeting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, Mr. Blinken will also address the necessity of pursuing a diplomatic resolution to this escalating conflict, as indicated by Mr. Miller’s statement.
Furthermore, the Biden administration has invested over two years in fostering a broader regional agreement, which envisions formal diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. This would hinge on Israel’s commitment to establishing a Palestinian state, coupled with a security agreement involving the United States and Saudi Arabia. However, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, the chances of realizing such a deal during Mr. Biden’s presidency appear exceedingly slim. Nevertheless, Mr. Blinken has maintained that achieving this goal remains a realistic aspiration.
