Resilient America: Overcoming Political Turmoil to Champion Global Crisis Management

The weekend of terror in Israel has intensified existing concerns about the ability of the politically divided United States to formulate a cohesive response to an increasingly chaotic world. The recent disarray in the House of Representatives was seen by Republicans, Democrats, and independent analysts as conveying a perilous message to the international community. However, the speed with which the political paralysis in Washington is now challenging the country's response to a significant global crisis has caught everyone off guard.

Hamas' horrifying attacks on Israeli civilians have not only claimed hundreds of lives but have also shattered the sense of security in the country. As a result, the Middle East finds itself on the brink of a new era of violence and instability. This wave of violence comes after a period of relative calm and years during which US presidents attempted to withdraw American forces from the region.

In response to this carnage, Israel's actions against a significant Iranian proxy raise concerns about the potential for a wider regional war. Such a war would further destabilize the already fragile global order, which is already grappling with the ongoing war in Ukraine and China's blatant challenges to Western power.

Antony Blinken.

Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/File

Four Americans killed in Israel attacks, with death toll expected to rise, sources say

In order to effectively address this dangerous situation, it is crucial for the United States to respond with composure, unity, and thoughtfulness, garnering support from politicians across the entire political spectrum. However, due to the turmoil within American politics, characterized by internal extremism, threats to democracy, and the excessive politicization of foreign policy, it appears to be an insurmountable task to unite the country during this critical moment.

Efforts by lawmakers to promptly demonstrate their support for Israel and provide additional aid to its government may face obstacles due to the disintegration of the Republican Party's ability to govern in the House, following the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy by the extremist factions within his party just last week.

The US is currently in the midst of an extraordinary election season. The president, who is facing low approval ratings, is also grappling with concerns about his age. Additionally, there is the possibility that the potential Republican nominee could be facing criminal charges by the time the election arrives. This situation means that, at best, the United States will be consumed by its own political challenges in the coming months. At worst, the leading democratic superpower in the world could exacerbate global disruption and instability.

Seizing the opportunity, the Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, quickly capitalized on the crisis to advance his own political agenda. He accused President Joe Biden of being responsible for the conflict due to what he perceives as "weakness."

"Joe Biden has betrayed both Israel and our country. If elected president, I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Israel," stated Trump.

While foreign policy matters typically do not sway US elections, the concern for Biden and the advantage for Trump lies in the possibility of another international crisis amplifying the perception of a turbulent world and a weakened American influence, making Biden appear ineffective. Trump capitalizes on chaos, both domestically and internationally, as it creates a favorable environment for aspiring autocrats who promise authoritarian rule.

Fractured American governance presents a significant challenge for Israel and Ukraine, whose vital support from the US is at severe risk due to the actions of far-right Republicans. Moreover, this spectacle creates the perception among US adversaries, such as Iran (the main backer of Hamas), Russia, and China, that the United States is deeply divided and may encounter difficulties in effectively asserting its power to safeguard its interests.

In Washington, DC, on October 6, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the September jobs report at the White House. The Bureau of Labor reported that the U.S. economy surpassed expectations by adding 336,000 new jobs in September.

Biden's pledge to reinstate US leadership faces a new challenge with the eruption of warfare on foreign soil.

"The decision to remove the speaker was not something I endorsed. In fact, I considered it to be a perilous move," expressed Rep. Michael McCaul, who serves as the head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" program on Sunday. "When I survey the global landscape and assess the numerous threats that loom, I can't help but question the message we convey to our adversaries when we are unable to govern, plagued by dysfunction, and lack even a speaker of the House."

US sends a message of chaos and weakness

The Texas Republican questioned how Chairman Xi views the situation in China, asserting that his statement about democracy's ineffectiveness raises concerns. Furthermore, the Republican wondered how the Ayatollah perceives the matter, acknowledging the challenges faced when a government cannot operate efficiently. Ultimately, the Republican concluded that such circumstances convey a negative and worrisome message.

The closure of the House has become a detrimental representation of the United States and its democratic governance system, which it promotes worldwide. The Biden administration has the ability to swiftly provide military assistance to Israel. The Israeli government has requested JDAM precision-guided munition kits and additional interceptors for the Iron Dome air defense system due to the ongoing barrage of Hamas rockets targeting Israeli cities. However, any delay in appointing a new speaker and establishing a functional majority in the House may result in significant consequences.

Republican Representative Michael Lawler, who is facing a challenging reelection in a New York district that Biden would have won in 2020 according to the district's updated boundaries, emphasized the urgency of putting an end to the chaos in the House. Lawler expressed his concerns to CNN's Dana Bash, stating, "Considering the Middle East situation with one of our closest allies, it is vital that we resolve this issue promptly." Lawler further added, "Therefore, it is essential that this absurdity ceases and Kevin McCarthy is reinstated as speaker."

Republicans left town following McCarthy's removal last week. This week, they are expected to choose between Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, who has the endorsement of Trump, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. However, due to the demands of extremists within the GOP, the challenges of a small majority, and McCarthy's lengthy 15-round ballot victory in January, it is uncertain whether strong and new Republican leadership will emerge quickly.

Although there is bipartisan agreement in the House regarding support for Israel, the US response to the Ukraine's recent violent attack, which threatens a vulnerable democracy, is at risk of being derailed by America's intensely polarized politics. This potential derailment could significantly undermine Washington's global leadership.

Right-wing Republicans supporting Trump are echoing the opposition of former presidents to providing further aid and ammunition to Ukraine. Although there is still a majority in favor of such measures in the House and the Senate, future Republican speakers will likely need to pass aid packages with the assistance of Democratic votes. This situation parallels McCarthy's fall when he attempted to prevent a damaging government shutdown, even though the stopgap funding bill did not include Ukraine aid, as desired by the White House.

As a result, the political conflict concerning Ukraine is causing significant concerns in Kyiv. There is a worry that without the requested $20 billion in assistance from the Biden administration, Ukraine will be unable to sustain its fight against Russia in its current state.

The possibility that a faction within the Republican Party, led by Trump, could abandon a democracy under attack by Russia and therefore support an autocratic leader with ties to the KGB, poses a threat to not only undermine decades of US foreign policy, but also to fundamentally alter the US global role and the values that its allies relied upon.

The politicization of global crises extends beyond Israel and Ukraine. When a Chinese spy balloon appeared over US territory this year, it sparked a strong reaction from Republicans, fueling their anger towards Biden and potentially obstructing his ability to effectively manage US relations with the influential Pacific superpower.

A massive challenge for Biden

The perception that America's political issues are hindering its global leadership has the potential to severely diminish its influence. This repercussion only serves the interests of adversaries like Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran, as confirmed by US intelligence agencies, all of whom have actively meddled in American elections and possess significant geopolitical motivations to witness the failure of American democracy.

The Hamas attack on Israel, often likened to the September 11 attacks due to its devastating impact and higher per capita casualties, is a tragedy that possesses the potential to reshape the world. Not only is the loss of human life heartbreaking, but it also extends to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, who have suffered greatly as a result of Israel's retaliatory strikes against Hamas' infrastructure. These widespread ramifications will undoubtedly reverberate in the United States as well.

A building is ablaze following rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 7, 2023.

Itai Ron/Reuters

US still seeking to determine Iran's connection to Israel attack

If evidence shows that Iran collaborated directly with Hamas in planning the attack, there will be immense pressure on Israel to respond by directly confronting the Islamic Republic. This, however, runs the risk of igniting a broader regional conflict that could involve the United States.

Furthermore, the attacks and their consequences are highly likely to disrupt the ongoing effort, in which the US plays a significant role, to establish normalized relations between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states. This potential agreement would drastically transform the region and further isolate Iran - a plausible motive for Iran's potential involvement in the Hamas assault. US officials continue to investigate the extent of Iran's alleged role in this matter.

The horror in Israel poses another formidable foreign policy crisis for Biden as he contemplates his reelection campaign, alongside the conflict in Ukraine and an escalating confrontation with China. This crisis arrives at a politically vulnerable moment for the administration, as it works to justify a recent agreement that freed US prisoners from Iran and unfroze $6 billion in Iranian funds. It's important to note that these funds are restricted for humanitarian and medical purposes only, and could not have been used to finance this attack. However, such nuances hold little weight in an election year, with several Republican presidential candidates accusing the president of supporting Iranian terrorism.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken attempted to mitigate the political repercussions of the agreement by emphasizing that no money has been utilized from the account. Furthermore, he emphasized that the account is strictly monitored by the US Treasury Department, limiting its use to essential items such as food, medicine, and medical equipment. However, from a political standpoint, the crucial aspect lies in whether enough Americans perceive the Republicans' assertions as valid.

Nikki Haley, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and GOP hopeful, suggested on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the funds Iran may save from the hostage deal could potentially be used for supporting terrorist activities. She disagreed with Secretary Blinken's assertion that the money is not currently being used, but it is worth noting that the Iranian government has historically shown little concern for the humanitarian needs of its people, instead focusing on strengthening its military capabilities.

In addition, GOP Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, another candidate for the 2024 election, took it a step further by alleging that Biden, who has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel throughout his political career, is "complicit" in the attacks.