The current war raging between Iran and Israel — plus the United States — represents a stark departure from the behavior of previous American leaders.
The administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden maintained a traditional, strong alliance with Israel, including enormous military assistance, but avoided being drawn into sustained military combat in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump, in his second term, has decided to join with Israel in devastating air attacks on Iran, while moving U.S. Army and Marine Corps forces into the region. A ground invasion of Iran may soon happen.
Trump has reversed course from earlier sustained emphasis on the absolute requirement to avoid direct military engagements overseas. He is acting unilaterally, without securing any approval from Congress. This contrasts with the approaches of both Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush in responding to the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq and launching our invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The current conflict is sometimes referred to as the Third Gulf War, but is distinctive from the earlier two wars in important respects, including so far relying on executive authority alone.
Additionally, as yet we have no allies beyond Israel. The First Gulf War involved a comprehensive international coalition, authorized by the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. The Iraq War was also authorized by Congress, and we had several allies, notably faithful Britain.
This war has fully confirmed Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, drastically disrupting world fuel and fertilizer markets.
Historic context is especially important in view of this radical U.S. departure. In 1973, decisive efforts of the Nixon administration were crucial to Israel’s successful defense against a combined Arab states’ attack. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger led efforts to ease tensions in the region.
This was followed by major peace agreements. President Jimmy Carter’s determination and discipline achieved the historic 1978 Camp David peace between Egypt and Israel, which still survives.
In March 1991, following the expulsion of Iraq’s army from Kuwait, President George H.W. Bush addressed Congress. He did not gloat regarding the devastating defeat of Iraq, but rather emphasized the importance of diplomacy, working with others for regional stability and peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Secretary of State James Baker demonstrated extraordinary energy in dedicated diplomacy. The Madrid conference of October 1991 led to the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians and the establishment of a Palestinian state. This, in turn, facilitated the 1994 peace agreement between Israel and Jordan.
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Bush and Baker deserve enormous credit for the Allied defeat of Iraq and the successful post-war diplomacy. Their example should inform U.S. leadership. Cease insulting allies and encourage mediation by Pakistan and Turkey.
The Trump administration in 2020 brokered diplomatic recognition of Israel by the United Arab Emirates. White House adviser Jared Kushner served successfully as an intermediary.
The 1956 Suez Crisis remains particularly important. President Dwight Eisenhower used economic leverage and astute diplomacy to end a secretly planned old-style colonial military invasion by Britain, France and Israel to recapture the Suez Canal, nationalized by Egypt’s new military regime, and seize the Sinai Peninsula.
As usual, Ike’s instincts were right; our alliance relationships survived.
In 1958, Eisenhower intervened directly in Lebanon with a sizable military force. American troops suffered only one soldier killed by hostile fire.
Successful U.S. involvement has included detailed planning, clear objectives, and, at times, distance from Israel.
Learn More: President G.H.W. Bush and Brent Scowcroft, “A World Transformed.”
Arthur I. Cyr is the author of “After the Cold War” (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan). Contact [email protected].