Attack on NATO and War in Gaza; Trump and Biden’s New Challenges as Told by The Washington Post

According to this American publication, the frontrunner for the 2024 US presidential election has sparked significant concerns in both Europe and the United States with his recent criticisms of NATO, especially among the coalition's members.

According to reports from the newspaper, Trump is viewed by some European critics as posing an existential threat to the Western alliance and its political principles.

Marko Mihkelson, the head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Estonian Parliament, expressed to The Washington Post that Trump's election campaign serves as validation for his reckless approach towards European allies.

He further remarked: Regrettably, Trump serves as a highly convenient instrument for Russia in its conflict against the West.

Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, also commented on this matter: "Any insinuation that allies may fail to defend each other undermines our collective security, including that of the United States, and exposes American and European soldiers to greater peril."

Biden's Middle Eastern Challenges, Trump's Hidden Legacy

In another section of this article, it is mentioned: Throughout his presidency, Biden aimed to reconstruct the transatlantic partnership—a relationship that had endured significant challenges before his term and had eroded Europe's trust in Washington. However, from the outset of his presidency, Biden has worked to assure his European counterparts of Washington's commitments while also spearheading a robust coalition in support of Kiev.

The author further highlights: Nevertheless, Biden's collaboration with Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza has raised apprehension among notable political figures. Throughout the Gaza conflict, the Zionist regime has been responsible for the deaths of more than 27,000 Palestinians, including many children. Additionally, on Monday, Tel Aviv commenced operations in Rafah, a southern city bordering Egypt and home to over a million Palestinian refugees.

While some argue that Biden has grown disenchanted with Benjamin Netanyahu's unwavering stance on this conflict, he has simultaneously resisted internal pressures from Democrats and independent representatives to contain the Israeli regime and has consistently refrained from conditioning military assistance to the Jewish state.

Biden's policy towards Israel has caught the attention of European leaders

On Monday, Josep Borrell, the European Union's foreign policy chief, commented on Biden's recent statements regarding Israel's conduct in the conflict, stating: "How often have you heard leaders and foreign ministers from across the globe express concern over the high number of casualties?"

He added, "If the international community views this war as a massacre and sees too many people being killed every day, perhaps we should consider providing arms."

Nevertheless, Biden and numerous European counterparts have thus far resisted appeals from demonstrators and certain representatives to announce a ceasefire and prevent Israel's assault on Rafah.

This report underscores that even the directive from the International Court of Justice, the main court of the United Nations, mandating Israel to enhance protection for civilians in Gaza, has been overlooked.

According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission's findings, during the initial 100 days of the Gaza conflict, one person per 100 has perished, surpassing casualty rates of any other armed confrontation in this century. The commission emphasized in its assessment that "the ongoing conflict is unparalleled in terms of loss of life, devastation, and suffering, carrying profound implications for future generations."

In another section of the article, The Washington Post highlights that the significant casualties in this conflict have generated widespread opposition to Israel across various regions globally.

Experts, particularly in the Middle East and the Arab world, have also voiced criticism of Washington's inconsistent treatment of Gaza.

Mohamed ElBaradei, former Egyptian diplomat and ex-head of the UN atomic agency, penned an editorial last month stating: "The Arab and Islamic world no longer believes in Western norms and democratic values. The West demonstrates that power and brutality triumph over all else."

Renad Mansour, a member of the influential Chatham House think tank in England, also weighed in: "If the rules-based international order is once again disrupted, the failure to reach an agreement to halt the unprecedented massacre in Gaza indicates a loss of trust in international institutions."

He further emphasized: Western leaders ought to contemplate this pivotal moment and its potential future implications.