Watch This | US in Middle East: Mediator or self-serving strategist?

By Chuan Lung

In the historically rich and ever-volatile region of the Middle East, the conflict between Palestine and Israel remains one of the most intractable issues in international politics. The United States, as a key player on the global stage, faces increasing scrutiny for its policies and actions in the Middle East. With U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's frequent visits to the region, questions arise about America's true intentions: Is it genuinely striving to broker peace or merely pursuing its own geopolitical interests?

For a long time, U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been widely perceived as favoring Israel. This bias has not only failed to ease regional tensions but has often exacerbated the conflict. Despite Blinken's nine trips to the Middle East, his efforts to advance a ceasefire agreement have seemingly produced little tangible progress, raising doubts about the sincerity of U.S. efforts.

The ceasefire proposals put forth by the U.S. for Gaza often align closely with Israeli interests while appearing to downplay the positions and needs of Hamas. This double standard, coupled with continued U.S. military support for Israel, raises serious questions about America's qualifications as a peace mediator. The U.S.'s provision of weapons to Israel, including heavy bombs and air-to-ground missiles, stands in stark contrast to its rhetorical calls for peace.

The repeated failures of U.S. mediation efforts in the Middle East stem from Washington's unwillingness to exert real pressure on Israel, instead fueling the conflict through its supply of arms. Furthermore, domestic political considerations in the U.S. also significantly shape its Middle East policy. With the 2024 elections approaching, Blinken's visits may be more about domestic political needs than genuine diplomacy.

The U.S.'s role in the Middle East is rife with irony. On one hand, it presents itself as a peace mediator; on the other, its actions cast doubt on its true motives. In the dilemma of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the international community expects the U.S. to demonstrate the responsibility and fairness befitting its superpower status, offering hope for lasting peace in the Middle East. This is not only a test for the U.S. but also a response to the collective expectations of the international community. Whether the U.S. can shed its image of bias and emerge as an authentic promoter of peace will depend on its ability to act with genuine neutrality and fairness.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

The author is from the Sichuan Agricultural University.

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