Fred Fleitz, a former National Security Council chief of staff during Donald Trump’s presidency, criticized the Biden administration on Newsmax for its stance towards Israel, especially in the context of recent tensions involving Iran. Fleitz expressed strong disapproval of the administration’s communication with Iran following Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria.
According to Fleitz, the U.S. sent a message to Iran distancing itself from the Israeli action and urging Iran not to retaliate against U.S. troops. He described this approach as a failure to support Israel at a crucial time, labeling the administration’s actions as cowardly and a deviation from standing with an ally in the conflict.
This controversy follows a Bloomberg report about a written warning from Iran to the U.S., cautioning against a trap set by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and advising the U.S. to avoid involvement to prevent being targeted.
Fred Fleitz (Credits: National Review)
In response, the U.S. reportedly asked Iran to refrain from striking American targets, a communication disclosed by Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs, on the social media platform X.
Fleitz argued that the U.S. should unequivocally support Israel, mainly after it targeted key terrorist figures in Damascus. He criticized the Biden administration for attempting to dissociate from Israel’s actions, suggesting it shows a lack of solidarity with Israel as it faces threats from Iran.
Adding to the discussion, retired U.S. Army Col. Wes Martin linked Iran to the Hamas seizure of hostages on October 7, interpreting it as a deliberate provocation requiring a response from Netanyahu.
Martin suggested that this incident was aimed at triggering criticism of Netanyahu, both domestically within Israel and internationally, through media sympathetic to Iran or critical of Israel.
Despite the potential for domestic and international backlash, Fleitz believes Netanyahu retains sufficient support within the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to stay in power. He acknowledges that protests are part of the democratic process, emphasizing that dissent is to be expected.
Fred Fleitz (Credits: Media Matters for America)
Martin speculated that any retaliatory measures from Iran would likely be indirect, utilizing proxies rather than a direct military engagement with Israel due to the imbalance of power.
He stressed that Israel’s military actions, such as the strike in Damascus, are defensive measures against planned terrorist attacks, predicting that future aggression from Iran would involve covert operations rather than confrontation.
This debate reflects the complex dynamics of Middle Eastern politics, where alliances, enmities, and the international community’s responses are closely scrutinized.
The differing perspectives on the U.S. role in supporting its ally Israel, besides these tensions, highlight the broader debate over foreign policy and the strategies employed to navigate these intricate international relationships.
