Flashback: Biden Admin Bragged About ‘Quieter’ Middle East One Week Before Attack on Israel
On September 29, 2024, it was reported that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed optimism about the state of affairs in the Middle East a year ago, just one week before deadly attacks on Israel. Sullivan praised the administration’s success at keeping the peace in the region, stating, “The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades.” This was during a September 29, 2023, appearance at the Atlantic Festival, where he highlighted positive developments such as a truce in Yemen, a decrease in Iranian attacks on U.S. troops, and a “stable” Iraq.
However, just one week later, Iranian-backed Hamas launched a terrorist attack against Israel, resulting in over 1,100 deaths and over 250 people taken hostage. The attack sparked an ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group, causing Sullivan to backtrack on his earlier optimism and acknowledge escalating tensions in the region.
The Biden administration has continued to grapple with the conflict, balancing support for ally Israel with concerns from some Democratic Party wings sympathetic to Palestinians. Iran has vowed retaliation for multiple Israeli strikes in Lebanon, further complicating the situation and leading to calls for a three-week cease-fire to prevent an all-out conflict.
