Scheme in phases – DW – 01/31/2024

Biden has indicated he already has a response to the attack that killed three soldiers in Jordan, which the United States has blamed on Iranian-backed militias. The main objective is to avoid new stress. “I don’t think we need another war in the Middle East,” Biden said at the White House.

Since October 18, the US military has recorded a total of 166 attacks on US military facilities, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan (as of January 30). The drone attack on January 28 is the first in which American soldiers were killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there would be “a phased approach, not just one action, but possibly multiple actions over a period of time.”

military action

Iran and the United States have been at odds for decades. According to Thinking Workshop Atlantic CouncilUS armed forces present in the region, along with several aircraft carriers, can conduct targeted strikes against Iranian facilities and forces in the region. Iran supplies funding and arms to many militias in the region.

Attacks on naval bases would be possible, as well as direct attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard units. According to Iranian reports, several members of the Revolutionary Guard were killed in a recent Israeli airstrike in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

However, US forces could also attack Iranian-backed militia targets from the air in Syria, Iraq or elsewhere in the region. Israel repeatedly carries out these types of attacks against strategic installations, weapons depots or important military leaders, thereby eliminating potential sources of threat.

However, US President Biden could also order special operations or covert action against senior Iranian leaders or key regime facilities. In this case, secret services and special forces will be necessary.

diplomacy and politics

Although the US response is likely to include a military component, the US government also has a wide arsenal of political and diplomatic measures at its disposal. Washington may try to bring regional power Iran to the negotiating table and find a political solution. However, it is more likely that the United States will continue to promote Iran’s international isolation in order to increase pressure on the regime.

Possible policy measures include further tightening of existing economic sanctions against Iran. Washington could put even greater pressure on third countries and international financial institutions to restrict the Iranian leadership’s freedom of financial movement.

At the technological level, the United States can improve its defense capabilities against drone attacks and better equip its allies in the region. In the past, the United States has often responded to threats or attacks in the Middle East with a mix of military, diplomatic, and economic responses.

Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump four years ago ordered the killing of popular Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by drone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Earlier, Trump had indirectly blamed Soleimani for several attacks, including an attack by a pro-Iranian militia against the US Embassy in Baghdad.

(young people)