Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and other Related Conflicts in the Middle East (read the rules in the first post)

FriedButter

FriedButter

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House Foreign Affairs Committee drafting legislation authorizing military force if Israel-Hamas conflict expands​

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul told CNN Monday that his committee is drafting legislation “in the event it’s necessary” to authorize US military force if the current conflict between Israel and Hamas broadens into a wider proxy war with Iran.

"I hope I never have to mark this bill up. But we have a situation in the Middle East that’s growing day by day with intensity and if Hezbollah gets involved, Iran has already threatened if Gaza is, you know, if Israel goes, you know, if IDF (Israel Defense Forces) goes into Gaza that they're gonna come out,” he told CNN.

The revelation that his committee is crafting draft legislation — known as an Authorization of Use for Military Force — comes as President Joe Biden prepares to travel to the region later this week and is the latest indication that the US government is deeply concerned over how the current crisis could broaden in a way that might require a US military response.

The US military ordered a second carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean as well as Air Force fighter jets to the region as part of US efforts to deter Iran and its proxies from expanding the conflict.

McCaul was careful not to say whether the White House had specifically asked for such an authorization, telling reporters: "I don't want to confirm that. It's just that there is concern that — we, I'm currently, we're currently drafting one in the event it's necessary."

When asked by CNN what this potential authorization might entail, McCaul said: “I'd prefer not to put Iran as a nation state in there. It would be more Iran proxies, you know, like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran-backed Shi’ia militias, but if Iran gets directly involved, then we would have to put them on the list."

In an interview later with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, McCaul said he would want any potential authorization to have the full support of the American people.

“I’m currently preparing a draft of that in the event it is called upon and is necessary, but most importantly is supported by the American people,” he said.
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McCaul was careful not to say whether the White House had specifically asked for such an authorization, telling reporters: "I don't want to confirm that. It's just that there is concern that — we, I'm currently, we're currently drafting one in the event it's necessary."
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When asked by CNN what this potential authorization might entail, McCaul said: “I'd prefer not to put Iran as a nation state in there. It would be more Iran proxies, you know, like Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran-backed Shi’ia militias, but if Iran gets directly involved, then we would have to put them on the list."
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By refusing to deny or confirm if the white house asked. It would appear that it is now strongly pointing towards US intervention into the Middle East. Authorizing military force against Iran is going to be a global economic disaster.
 
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tamsen_ikard

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FriedButter said:
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By refusing to deny or confirm if the white house asked. It would appear that it is now strongly pointing towards US intervention into the Middle East. Authorizing military force against Iran is going to be a global economic disaster.
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I am actually more convinced now that Israel will not do a full ground invasion of Gaza. The complicating factors are too much compared to the easy way out, which is to not do the ground invasion and do somekind of face saving air assault or limited ground raids.

1. Potential Iranian or proxies of Iranian backed militia's like Hezbollah intervening
2. Huge backlash from Arab world. They might be forced to act with some kind of economic or military backlash if there are too much casualties or attempts to force gazans to flee Gaza.
3. A big war in Israel with missiles raining in would make Israel extremely risky for its citizens who are mostly settlers from places like Europe. They can think its too risky to stay in Israel and do migration to Europe or US. This will be a big blow to the Zionism.
4. US getting bogged down trying to fight a new war in the middle east will be a death knell for Ukraine who needs more weapons to survive.
5. US getting bogged in Middle East will mean China gets a free hand in the Pacific. A crisis in the South China Sea with the Phippines will not seem all that bad for China if US is not in the picture fully. Then there is the fear of Taiwan invasion or a flare up in North Korea.

Too many risks and not much reward for Either Israel or US other than revenge.

The easier way out is to do more bombing. Build up a bigger and stronger fence. More guards to prevent Hamas raids. I think they will take the easier way out. Especially with US pressure. Minds are sobering up every day.
 
FriedButter

FriedButter

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Lime said:
This will embarrass Biden's trip to Israel.
Reactions of the WEST may change after this bombing on hospital. Also Arabic countries now have moral argument to denounce Israel.
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Reactions from the West is claiming this was actually HAMAS. I wouldn’t count on their stance changing. Just like their knee jerk reaction to blame Russia when it was actually Ukraine who did it.
 
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